


4 1 







THE BUILDING CODE 

OF THE 

CITY OF SEATTLE 

AND 

OTHER DATA USEFUL TO ARCHITECTS 
AND BUILDERS 

Corrected to August 1, 1917. 


CONTENTS 

Page 

THE BUILDING CODE..... 19 

MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES ..._ -162 

THE PLUMBING ORDINANCES. 191 

APPENDIX .. 207 

INDEX TO THE BUILDING CODE ...215 

INDEX TO PLUMBING ORDINANCES.1. . ..243 


BUILDING DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS 

TIMOTHEUS JOSENHANS, ...SUP’T. OF BUILDING 

H. E. FOWLER ..... STRUCTURAL ENGINEER 


\ CHARLES R. ALDRICH, Chairman 
BOARD OF APPEALS, < FRANK E. BOYLE 

j JAMES STEPHEN, Secretary. 














THzzs 

ATTENTION Sc, 

r n>7 

This Handbook of Revised ButMing" Ordinances 
of the City of Seattle for the year 1917-18 is 
published in the interest of all 

ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND 
CONTRACTORS f - 

of the City and is ^distributed ^to tliem gratis. 
It depends entirely" tipon the^advertising that 
appears on its pages for its existence. 

The firms who advertise in this editipn expect 
returns on their investments, and we have pre¬ 
pared a list of our advertisers which' may be 
found on pages directly following. It is our 
endeavor to allow only g#od, reliable firms to 
advertise in the Handbook, and we take this 
opportunity of asking ^he Architects, Engineers 
and Contractors to consider those whose an¬ 
nouncements appear in these pages, when in 
need of materials or ^Aen writing specifications. 
Thus lending your aid will^make it possible to 
maintain the high standard *>f the book prepared 
for your use. 

We welcome any suggestions from useps of the 
Handbook which might tend to advance its aim. 
We have endeavored to index and cross index 
each section of the code matter and 
trust that this feature will prove 
especially serviceable to 
to those who arK .Obliged 
to refer to its 
pages. 

nUG $}g (930 







ALPHABETICAL LIST OF ADVERTISERS 




Page 

Aero Alarm Co.Elliott 827 6 

Agutter, J. J. & Co.Elliott 1638 10 

Albion Mfg. Co.Elliott 5450 118 

Archer Blower & Pipe Co.Sidney 95 16 

Baisden, Jno. S., Inc.East 770 10 

Brace & Hergert Mill Co.Main 345 118 

Bratnober Lumber Co...West 41 9 

Brower, Chas. R. & Co.Elliott 2049 15 

Bryant Lumber Co...North 1 7 

Buffalo Junk Co.Elliott 3863 52 

Bolcom-Canal Lumber Co., .Queen Anne 2171 8 

Balfour-Guthrie & Co.Elliott 1464 72 

Central Sand & Gravel Co.Elliott 2270 172 

Church, P. B. & Co. Main 524 52 

City Lighting Department ..Main 6000 Insert 

Clarke, H. M. Iron & Wire Works .Main 6374 172 

Clyde Equipment Co., .,.Main 1235 15 

Cox, A. H. & Co., Inc.__.Main 1121 17 

Crowe, F. T. & Co.Main 1991 11 

Croxon-Kirk Construction Co. 28 

Curtis Bros.Capitol 1285 4 

Dow, David ...East 11 12 

Eckart Plumbing & Heating Co.Main 5682 13 

Ehrlich-Harrison Co.Elliott 1236 Index 

Electrical Engineering Co. Main 1438 38 

Enterprise Brass Foundry .Main 6181 Index 

Evans, R. T. & Co. Main 3108 17 

Finlay & Robb, Inc.Main 3904 38 

Galbraith, Bacon & Co.Main 7000 Cover 

Gould Lumber Co.... Queen Anne 1411 8 

Hendry, W. R. & Co. Elliott 1941 110 

Henrikson & Co., Inc.Elliott 3492 12 

Hofius Steel & Equipment Co.Main 6747 Cover 

Hunter, Sam Co., Inc. .Main 3348 82 

Instantaneous Alarm Co.Main 234 6 

Jenkins & Jones .Main 1447 4 

Johns-Manville Co., H. W. Elliott 5740 14 

Japanese-American Electric Co.Main 5499 Index 

Kellogg, William W., Inc.,.Main 1922 13 

King, D. H.Main 7308 13 

Kitchen, J. Webb & Co.:...Main 860 28 

Lake Union Shingle Co. North 2500 9 

Massachusetts Bonding & Insurance Co.Elliott 1812 14 

Metcalf, D. J.Main 1764 18 

Myers & Baird, Inc.Elliott 750 11 

National India Rubber Co.Elliottl685 14 

NePage McKenney Co.Main 1553 18 

Newell Bissell Lumber Co., . Sidney 464 7 

Northwestern Mutual Fire Ass’n.Elliott 827 Index 

Northwestern Supply Co. .Main 3620 Cover 

Nippon Plumbing & Electric Works .Elliott 2040 Index 

Ogle Bros...North 36 172 

Olson-Nicholson Co., Inc., .Elliott 1049 172 

Olympic Foundry Co...Sidney 50 15 

Olympic Portland Cement Co., Ltd. .Elliott 1464 72 

Pacific Coast Steel Co.Main 380 70 

Pacific Door & Mfg. Co. ...Sidney 410 118 

Paraffine Paint Co.. Main 5093 9 

Pearson Construction Co....,.Main 684 12 


3 





























































Pioneer Sand & Gravel Co. .Main 5508 

Puget Mill Co......Elliott 182 

Puget Sound Sheet Metal Works.Main 176 


Page 

17 

8 


Cover 


Quist, A. W. Co. 


Main 4497 


12 


Rainier Electric Co...:...Elliott 2829 

Raecolith Flooring Co., The ...Main 7254 

Republic Rubber Co.East 413 

Rodgers, Chas. W. Co.....Main 3446 

Rustad Heating & Plumbing Co...Main 5718 


18 

28 

52 

17 

38 


Schwager-Nettleton Mills .West 1100 9 

Seattle Lighting Co. Main 6767 Cover 

Seattle & Rainier Valley Ry Co. ...Rainier 8 80 38 

Service Co., The . ..East 851 13 

Shell Oil Co., of California .Elliott 116 5 

Spinney, C. A. .. ..Beacon 1166 16 

Star Sheet Metal Mfg. Co.Main 5851 Index 

Strom, E. .;.East 8365 16 

Sullivan Bros....Main 1128 28 

Sunset Electric Co. East 826 13 


Title Trust Co. .......Main 2560 110 

Union Oil Co. of California .Main 1251 110 


Van Stone & Lohman ....Elliott 1609 12 

Washington Elevator Co.....Elliott 3813 110 

Waterproof Paint Co. ..Elliott 4984 82 

Western Cooperage Co...North 7 9 

Western Hardware & Metal Co. __ Elliott 563 8? 

Williams, C. H. E....'.'...Elliott 3057 IS 

Young, A. M..Elliott 2194 72 


FRAfliK CURT5S ROY CURTIS 

CURTIS BROS. 

HOUSE MOVERS 

A Full Set of the Latest Improved Machinery 
for Raising and Moving Buildings, Boats, 
and Other Heavy Bodies 


Before Letting Work in Our Line Be Sure to Consult l!s 

1220 Roy ST. 

Phone Capitol 1285 SEATTLE, WASH. 


J. L. JENKINS 

East 5732 


JOHN KAUFFMAN 


E. H. JONES 
Beacon 2557 


JENKINS & JONES 

General Contractors and Builders 


Main 1447 


317 Transportation Bldg. 

SEATTLE, WASH. 


4 






































SHELL PRODUCTS 

AT 

Shell Service Stations 


World Famous 



and 


SHELL MOTOR OIL, 

A Splendid. Lubricant 
for Automobiles and Motor Trucks 



Shell Service Station 
University Street at Fourth Avenue 
Seattle 


Shell Company 

OF CALIFORNIA 


0 


























The Watchman that Never Sleeps 

AERO 

FIRE ALARM 

“Feels” a fire as your finger feels a live coal; 
calls help on the premises; automatically sum¬ 
mons the fire department, and indicates the 
location of the fire—all in a matter of seconds. 

The National Fire Alarm. 

AERO ALARM CO. 

Central Building. 26 Cortlandt St. 

SEATTLE NEW YORK 


The Instantaneous Alarm Co. 

112 Columbia Street 

The Gamewell Auxiliary Fire Alarm Service 
Central Station System of Nightwatch Supervision 
Burglar Alarms, Police Calls 
Fire Dispatch and Notification Service 


“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. ’’ 

Telephone us for full information. 

R. T. REID, 

General Manager. 


6 


















FRED. W. NEWELL 

President & Treasurer 


L. J. BISSELL 

Secretary & Manager 



Newell-Bissell 
Lumber Co. 

Lumber Manufacturers 


Phone Sidney 464 


SEATTLE, WASH. 


BRYANT LUMBER CO. 

Cross Arms, Finish, 
Flooring, Timbers, 

Molding, Doors. 


RAIL & WATER SHIPMENT 


Telephone 3201 Fremont Avenue 

North 1 SEATTLE 


7 


















Bolcom- Canal Lumber Co. 

LUMBER 

for Every Purpose 

“Speed Gets ’Em” QueenAnne 2171 


Puget Mill Company 

Walker Building 


Telephone 

Queen Anne 1411 

GOULD LUMBER CO. 

Fir Lumber 

Twelfth West & Salmon Bay 
SEATTLE 


8 









Schwager-Nettleton Mills 

i( A Sliver or a Cargo” 


Mill Construction Buildings Our Specialty 


Offices, Cobb Bldg. Mills, West Waterway 

Tel. Main 1057 Tel. West 1100 


WESTERN COOPERAGE CO. 


Manufacturers of 

tanks, barrels, casks, kegs, 

AND VENEER DRUMS 


1341 Ewing Avenue 

Phone North 7 SEATTLE, WASH. 

BRATNOBER LUMBER COMPANY 

Retail Dealers in 

Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Sash, Doors, and Mill Work 
CEMENT, PLASTER, AND CHIMNEYS 
4519 California Ave. H. D. WEEKS 

Tel. West 41 Mgr 


FRANK J. TAYLOR, Mgr. 935 Ewing St. 

THE LAKE UNION SHINGLE CO. 

Manufacturers of Shingles of All Grades 
OUR SPECIALTY: 

19-Inch Bungalow Shingles 

Wo Sell Anyone - Deliver Anywhere 

Phone North 2500 

THE PARAFFINE PAINT COMPANY 

W. L. Rhoades, Mgr, Seattle Branch 
Manufacturers of 

Malthoid, Malthoid Jr., Cronolite, and P & B Ready- 
Roofing, P & B Paints, Building Papers and Felts. 

Also sole manufacturers of 

PABCOAT 

the Stone Veneer, Applied with a Brush. 

It takes the place of Paint. 

933 Henry Bldg. Phone Main 593 


9 
































Telephone Main 1991 1103 First Avenue 


F. T. CROWE & CO. 

Building Materials - Contractors’ Supplies 

Wonder Concrete Mixers, 

Vulcanite Expansion Joint, 
Clayburn Fire Brick, 
Roofings, Lime, 

Cement, Paints, etc. 



HOMER MYERS 


HUGH BAIRD 



FORD CARS and FORD SERVICE 

Our Bid for Your Business 

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS 

Elliott 750 4th Ave. Sc James 

HOMER MYERS AND HUGH BAIRD, Inc. 










A. W. QUIST COMPANY 

GENERAL CONTRACTORS 

Phone Main 4497 

310 Hoge Bldg. SEATTLE 


HENRIKSON .& CO., Inc. 

Engineers and General Contractors 


Office 230-2 Globe Bldg. 


Phone Elliott 3492 SEATTLE, WASH. 


R. C. VAN STONE CARL A. LOHMAN 

Phone Q. A. 1618 Phone North 1614 

VAN STONE & LOHMAN 

BUILDING CONTRACTORS 
PHONE ELLIOTT 1609 
314 Securities Bldg., Third and Stewart 

SEATTLE, WASH. 

Pearson Construction Co. 

Building and Engineering Construction 

NEW YORK BUILDING, 

SEATTLE, WASH. 

ALEXANDER PEARSON Main 684 


Telephone East 11 Residence North 237 

DAVID DOW 

ARCHITECT AND BUILDER 

21st and Spruce St. SEATTLE 


12 

















MANTELS, FLOOR and WALL TILE, 
FIRE PLACE FITTINGS 

WILLIAM W. KELLOGG, Inc. 

1619 Third Ave. Phone Main 1922 



Sunset Electric Company 

Representing the following Companies in Lighting and 
Starting Equipment for Automobiles: 

Gray & Davis, Bijur Motor Lighting Company, Remy 
Electric Company, North East Electric Company, 
Connecticut Telephone & Telegraph Company, 
Everready Guaranteed Storage Batteries 

THE SERVICE CO. 

Plumbing - Heating 

1206 East Pike St. East 851 

D. H. KING 

PLUMBING, HEATING, VENTILATING 

214 COLUMBIA ST. Main 7308 

Latest and Largest Installation of Note : 

New King County Court House 

Eckart Plumbing & 

Heating Company 

Heating and Ventilating Engineers 

1614 Third Avenue 

Main 5682 SEATTLE, U.S.A. 


13 















W HEN You Use J-M Building 
Materials You Insure Satis¬ 
faction by J-M Service, and 
Protect Yourself by J-M Responsibility 


J-M Asbestos Roofing and Siding 
J-M Waterproofing Materials 
J-M Pipe and Boiler Coverings 
f-M Insulating Felts and Papers 
J-M Cold Storage Insulation 
J-M Transite Asbostos Wood 


J-M Asbestos Stucco 
J-M Mastic Flooring 
J-M Cold Water Paint 
J-M Lighting Systems 
J-M Cork Floor Tile 
J-M Acoustical Correction 


H. W. JOHNS-MANVILLE CO. 

Third Ave. & Stewart St. 

Seattle, Wash. 


Massachusetts Bonding and insurance Company 

Home Office, Boston, Mass. 

T. J. FALVEY, President 

Capital $1,500,000. Surplus to Policy Holders $1,918,764.25 

Bid, Proposal, or Performance Bonds 
for Contractors, Architects, or Builders 

Fidelity, Public Office, and Court 
Bonds, of every description 

PACIFIC NORTHWESTERN DEPARTMENT 

FRED B. POTWIN, Resident Manager 
1302-3-4 L. C. Smith Building 
BURWELL & MORFORD, Inc., City Agents 
Colman Building 


National India Rubber Company 


Insulated Wire Special Cables, Rubber Covered 
Weatherproof Submarine and Lead-Encased 
Lamp Cord Telephone Wire 


Large Stock Always On Hand 


524 First Avenue South 

Phone Elliott 1685 


Seattle 


14 











Chas. R. Brower & Co. 

Manufacturers, Contractors, Dealers 

ASBESTOS GOODS 

Phone Elliott 2049 

114 Virginia St. SEATTLE 

OLYMPIC 

FOUNDRY COMPANY 

SEATTLE, WASH. 


Clyde Equipment Ce. 

formerly Contractors’ Equipment Co. 

542 F^irst Avenue South 


15 











JULES F. ARCHER, 

President 


ALFRED C.ARCHER, 

Secy. Treas. 



Established 1900 

Archer Blower & Pipe Co. 

Engineers and Manufacturers 

Slow Speed Blowers and Exhausters, 
Complete Dust Collecting Systems, 

Air Cooled Burners, Stacks, and Conveyors 


Office and Factory 


Edmonds 5t. & 8th Ave. 



All Work Guaranteed 
and Promptly Done 


5o., Seattle 


Estimates Furnished 

C. A. SPINNEY 

House Moving, Raising, & 
General Contracting 

Residence 

815 Poplar Place 

Seattle, Wash. 
Phone Beacon 1166 


E. STROM 

Hardwood Floors Laid, 
Scraped, and Finished 

Old Floors Refinished 

1618 - 12th Ave. East 8565 


16 













R. T. EVANS & CO. 

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS 
AND ENGINEERS 

625 Northern Bank & Trust Bldg. 

Main 3108 SEATTLE 


Immediate Delivery 

MOTORS COMPRESSORS 

GENERAL MACHINERY 
We Rent and Repair 

A. H. COX & CO., Inc. 

SEATTLE Main 1121 


Phone Main 5508 

PIONEER SAND & GRAVEL GO., Inc. 

Washed and Screened Sand and Gravel 
in Any Quantity and Any Size 

D. L. WILLIAMS, Sales Manager 
Office 

907 Northern Bank Bldg. 

North Bunkers, Foot Vine St. 

South Bunkers, Foot Dearborn St. SEATTLE, WASH. 


CHAS. W. RODGERS CO. 

Contractors and Jobbers 
Tile — Terrazzo—Mosaic—Onyx — Marble 
Floors, Walls, Mantels 

Office and Showroom: 

209-210 Maritime Building 
Phone Main 3446 SEATTLE, WASH. 


17 










DOUGLAS J. METCALF 

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR 

ELECTRIC WIRING 

ALTERATIONS REPAIRS 

Agents National Mazda Lamps Phone Main 1764 
Supplies, Motors, Ranges 1018 Post St. 


Rainier Electric Co Inc. 


CONTRACTORS and SUPPLIES 


418 Union Street 

Phone Elliott 2829 


SEATTLE 


NePAGE, McKENNY CO. 


Electrical Engineers and Contractors 


BRANCH OFFICES—Seattle, 
Portland, Vanconver, B.C., 
San Francisco, Oakland, 
Great Falls, Mont. 


Phone, Main 1553 
Armour Building, Seattle 


Telephone Elliott 3057 

C. H. E. WILLIAMS & CO. 

Electrical Engineers and Contractors 
SECURITIES BLDG. 

Represented by 

I. R. BARRY SEATTLE, WASH. 


18 











THE BUILDING CODE 

CITY OF SEATTLE 


ORDINANCE No. 31578 (SUPERSEDING ORDINANCE 17240) 
Approved July 22nd, 1913. 

(With Amendments and Rulings to August 1st, 1917.) 


PART I.—ADMINISTRATION ..... 19 

PART II.—DISTRICTS AND CLASS OF BUILDINGS. 27 

PART III.—STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS . 48 

PART IV.—CONCRETE AND STEEL . 66 

PART V.—FIRE HAZARD REGULATIONS. 86 

PART VI.—MEANS OF EGRESS . 98 

PART VII.—PLACES OF HABITATION . 117 

PART VIII.—PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY. 134 

PART IX.—BUILDINGS FOR SPECIAL USES . 148 

PART X.—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS . 162 


PART I. ADMINISTRATION. 

SECTION 101. The following provisions shall constitute the 
Building Code and may be cited as such. The Building Code pre¬ 
sumptively provides for all matters concerning, affecting or relating 
to the construction, equipment, alteration, repair or removal of 
buildings or structures in the City of Seattle. 

SECTION 102. The Building Code is hereby declared to be 
remedial and is to be construed to secure the beneficial intents and 
purposes thereof. 

The provisions of this Code shall apply with equal force to all 
buildings, both public and private. 

SECTION 103. Nothing in the Building Code shall be con¬ 
strued as requiring that buildings heretofore constructed and 
equipped must be reconstructed, rearranged, altered, or otherwise 
equipped unless it be by ordinance specifically so provided. 

SECTION 104. Nothing in the Building Code shall be con¬ 
strued as in anywise invalidating any permit, heretofore issued 
under the provisions of any former ordinance, for the erection, 
removal, alteration or repair of any building, but such building may 
be erected, removed, altered or repaired under such permit in ac¬ 
cordance with the provisions of such former ordinance. 

Buildings partly constructed in accordance with permits ob¬ 
tained under former building laws, may be completed in accordance 
with such former laws if approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings, whose decision in such case shall be subject to appeal 
to the Board of Appeals. 















20 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 105. Nothing in the Building Code shall be con¬ 
strued as in anywise affecting any act done or committed in 
violation of any former ordinance delating to the same subject as 
any of the provisions of this Code. 

SECTION 106. Nothing in the Building Code shall be con 
strued as in anywise affecting any prosecution or proceedings now 
pending in any court for violations of the provisions of any former 
ordinance relating to the same subject as any of the provisions of 
this Code, but all proceedings or prosecutions now pending for 
such violations shall be conducted to final judgment or determina¬ 
tion in any court having jurisdiction as though said former ordi¬ 
nance were still in force. 

SECTION 107. (As amended by Ordinance 56300). It shall 
be the duty of the Superintendent of Buildings to enforce the 
provisions of the Building Code, except such provisions as are ex¬ 
pressly placed under the administration of other officials by or¬ 
dinance or by the City Charter. He shall have charge of the issu¬ 
ing of building permits. He shall exercise general supervision over 
the constructing, equipping, altering, extending, repairing, re¬ 
moving and demolishing of all buildings; and over the maintain¬ 
ing of the structural features of all buildings. Unless otherwise 
herein explicitly provided, the Fire Marshal shall have jurisdiction 
over, and it shall be his duty to enforce the provisions of this 
ordinance insofar as they pertain to, the maintenance and use of 
all features of buildings and all equipment of buildings which 
have to do with the prevention, spread or extinguishing of fire or 
the safeguarding of life and property from fire. 

SECTION 108. It shall be unlawful for any person to inter¬ 
fere with, prevent or seek to prevent the inspection of any build¬ 
ing at any time by the Superintendent of Buildings or his author¬ 
ized representatives; provided, however, that before entering oc¬ 
cupied private dwellings or apartments for the purpose of making 
an inspection, the consent of the occupant thereof shall first be 
secured or twenty-four hours' written notice of his intention so to 
enter and inspect shall be served upon such occupant by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings. 


WORK MAY BE SUSPENDED, WHEN. 

SECTION 109. (As amended by Ordinance 35566.). The Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings shall have authority and power to direct 
the immediate suspension of all or any portion of the work on 
any building in process of erection, removal, alteration, repair, or 
demolition, by attaching a notice to that effect on such premises 
whenever it be found by him that such work is being performed 
without a permit issued in due form, or that the drawings and 
specifications bearing the approval stamp of his office are not 
on the premises and available for examination by him or his repre¬ 
sentative, or that such suspension is necessary to the proper in¬ 
spection of work previously performed, or that such erection 
removal, alteration, repair, or demolition is being conducted in an 
unsafe manner, or with materials or methods not in compliance 
with the provisions of this code or the permit issued therefor; and 
it shall be unlawful for any person to continue to erect, remove, 


THE BUILDING CODE 


21 


alter, repair or demolish any building after the Superintendent of 
Buildings has directed the immediate suspension of the work 
thereon, in the manner, and for the reasons in this section here¬ 
inbefore provided. 

BUILDINGS MAY BE ORDERED VACANT OR DEMOLISHED. 

SECTION 110. The Superintendent of Buildings is authorized 
and empowered to direct and require that any building or portion 
thereof be vacated, removed or demolished, by posting a notice to 
that effect conspicuously thereon or by notifying in writing the 
owner, lessee, or person in charge, whenever it be found by him that 
the following conditions or any of them exist: 

(a) That such building has been erected, altered or repaired 
subsequent to the passage of this ordinance in a manner contrary 
to the provisions hereof or the permit issued hereunder. 

(b) That the construction, arrangement or equipment of such 
building or portion thereof is contrary to the provisions of this 
Code for the purpose for which such building is used or occupied. 

(c) That such building is unsafe to human life or to property 
from any cause whatever or in imminent danger of so becoming. 

(d) That such building is not provided to the extent and in 
the manner required by ordinance with proper and sufficient means 
of egress in case of fire or of fire protective and fire extinguishing 
apparatus or of light and ventilation. 

SECTION 111. The Superintendent of Buildings shall inspect, 
or cause to be inspected every building or other structure or any¬ 
thing attached to or connected therewith which he has reason to 
believe is unsafe or dangerous, and if he find it unsafe or danger¬ 
ous, he shall forthwith in writing notify the owner, agent of per¬ 
son in charge of the building to make secure or remove such un¬ 
safe attachment or structure, and shall affix in a conspicuous place 
upon the exterior of said building or structure a notice of its 
dangerous condition. The notice shall not be removed or defaced 
without the consent of the Superintendent of Buildings. The per¬ 
son so notified shall promptly make secure or remove said build¬ 
ing, structure, attachment or connection. 

SECTION 112. If the public safety so requires, the Superin¬ 
tendent of Buildings, with the approval of the Mayor, may at 
once enter any building deemed unsafe, the land on which it 
stands, or the abutting land or buildings, with such assistance as 
he may require, and make the same safe, and may erect fences, bar¬ 
riers or such other devices for the protection of the public as may 
be necessary, and shall charge to the owner or his authorized agent 
such costs as may be incident to the work. 

SECTION 113. Every day that any person shall continue to 
occupy premises after the issuance and posting of a notice by the 
Superintendent of Buildings directing their vacation shall be deem¬ 
ed a separate offense committed by the owner or his agent. 

SECTION 114. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove 
mutilate, destroy or conceal any notice issued and posted by the 
Superintendent of Buildings pursuant to the provisions of this 
Code. 


22 


THE BUILDING CODE 


PERMITS NOT REQUIRED. 

SECTION 115. Ordinary repairs of buildings in the Third and 
Fourth Building Districts may be made without procuring a permit 
or giving notice to the Superintendent of Buildings, providing 
nothing is done to impair the strength or structural parts, and no 
change is made in stairs, elevators, fire escapes or other means of 
ingress and egress or in the provisions for light, air, and ventila¬ 
tion. Such repair work shall conform to the requirements of this 
Code. 

PERMITS REQUIRED. 

SECTION 116. It shall be unlawful, except as provided in the 
preceding section, for any person to commence or proceed to erect, 
alter, raise, add to, remove or demolish any building or part thereof 
without obtaining and having a permit from the Superintendent 
of Buildings therefor or without conspicuously posting on the 
premises the permit placard furnished by the Superintendent of 
Buildings, or to fail or neglect to comply with the provisions of this 
Code and the permit issued hereunder. 

SECTION 117. Prior to the issuance of any permit hereunder 
it shall be required that application be made therefor in writing on 
forms provided for that purpose by the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings, which application shall be signed by the owner or lessee of 
the premises, or by an architect or other person authorized to repre¬ 
sent the owner or the lessee. Any person applying for a permit as 
agent for the owner or lessee may be required to produce evidence 
of his authority to do the work for which permit is desired. 

SECTION 118. With every application for a permit there 
shall be filed in duplicate such blue-printed or otherwise printed 
drawings and printed or typewritten specifications as will fully 
and definitely describe the extent and nature of the work for which 
a permit is desired. An application accompanied by drawings 
which are, in the judgment of the Superintendent of Buildings, in¬ 
complete, indefinite, unintelligible or for work not in compliance 
with the provisions of this Code shall be rejected. 

SECTION 119. In the case of minor repairs and alterations or 
small one-story frame buildings, or in case the information con¬ 
veyed by the written application is complete, the filing of draw¬ 
ings and specifications may be waived in the discretion of the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings. 

CORRECTION SHEET. 

SECTION 120. ..It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of 
Buildings, if upon examination he shall find that the application, 
plans or specifications contemplate work not in accordance with 
this Code to indicate such deviations in writing on a “ correction 
sheet” and to return the drawing and specifications with “cor¬ 
rection sheet” to the applicant, and no permit shall issue until 
such drawings and specifications and the application have been 
corrected and approved. 

SECTION 121. If upon examination it be found that an 
application and the drawings and specifications accompanying the 


THE BUILDING CODE 


23 


same are in compliance with the provisions of this Code, the said 
drawings and specifications shall be stamped 11 approved” and so 
marked that they may be readily identified thereafter and one set 
placed on file in the office of the Superintendent of Buildings; the 
other set shall be returned to the applicant, together with a per¬ 
mit to proceed with the work contemplated and a permit placard. 

LIFE OF PERMIT 

SECTION 122. The permit issued hereunder shall be valid only 
for the number of days stated therein, and in no case for a longer 
period than one year. The Superintendent of Buildings shall be 
authorized and empowered to extend the time for which a permit 
is issued upon application being made for such extension before 
its expiration. 

The Superintendent of Buildings is authorized to revoke any 
permit issued hereunder if it be found that the work permitted is 
being performed in violation of the terms of such permit or of the 
City Ordinances. 

SECTION 123. It shall be unlawful to change the plans or 
specifications after the same have been stamped approved by the 
Department of Building and a permit has been issued, or to proceed 
with any work of building construction, alteration or repair in a 
manner not in accordance with the drawings and specifications as 
approved or the terms of the permit as issued without first ob¬ 
taining from the Superintendent of Buildings permission in writing 
to make such change. 

If, however, during the progress of the execution of any 
building work under a permit issued by the Superintendent of 
Buildings, it is desired to deviate from the terms of the applica¬ 
tion or drawings in any manner not affecting the structural mem¬ 
bers, the means of egress, the provisions for light, air and ven¬ 
tilation, or other essentials of the building, and not in violation of 
the requirements of this Code, such deviations may at such time 
be made without notice to the Superintendent of Buildings. Re¬ 
vised plans or proper legible descriptions of such changes must be 
and remain attached to the approved plans at the building for the 
information of the Inspectors. 

SECTION 124. The issuance of a permit or the approval of 
drawings and specifications shall in no case be construed or taken 
as an approval by the Department of Buildings of manifest errors 
or of violations of this Code if discovered in such plans or speci¬ 
fications at any subsequent time. 

CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY OF BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 125. (As amended by Ordinance 36300.) It shall 
be unlawful to change the nature or class of occupancy of any 
building or part thereof without there be first issued a permit 
therefor .iointly by the Superintendent of Buildings and the Fire 
Marshal. 

It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Buildings and 
the Fire Marshal prior to the issuance of any such permit to cause 
the premises to be inspected and withhold or refuse the insuance 


24 


THE BUILDING CODE 


of said permit if it be found that the construction, arrangement, or 
equipment, of said premises is not in all respects in conformity 
with the requirements of this Code for buildings used and occupied 
as in the manner contemplated by the application for such permit. 
The Superintendent of Buildings and the Fire Marshal, shall, when 
so requested, issue in writing a statement of the changes of con¬ 
struction, arrangement or equipment required to be made as a 
condition precedent to the issuance of the permit. 

BOABDS OF APPEALS. 

SECTION 126. Any requirements necessary for the strength 
or stability of any structure or for the safety of the occupants 
thereof or of the public not specifically covered by ordinances in 
force, shall be determined by the Superintendent of Buildings, 
subject to appeal to the Board of Appeals in the manner herein 
provided. 

SECTION 127. Any person having a direct interest in any 
ruling or decision of the Superintendent of Buildings may appeal 
therefrom to the Board of Appeals within thirty days after such 
ruling or decision by giving to the Secretary of the Board of Ap¬ 
peals notice in writing of his appeal, and mailing to the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings a copy thereof, and by paying the fee 
hereinafter required. After notice given to such pa'rties as the 
Board shall order, a hearing shall be had, and the Board shall 
affirm, annul, or modify said action of the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings. If the said action of the Superintendent of Buildings be 
affirmed, it shall have full force and effect. If said action of the 
Superintendent of Buildings be modified or annulled, he shall be 
governed in accordance with such decision. 

Any person appealing from a decision of the Superintendent 
Of Buildings shall in every case be required to pay to the City 
Treasurer a fee of Ten Dollars at the time of giving notice of 
such appeal, said fee to be returned to said applicant in case the 
decision of the Board of Appeals sustains his contention. 

All rulings and decisions of the Board of Appeals shall have 
the same force as the provisions of this Code, and it shall be the 
dfity of the Superintendent of Buildings to carry them into effect 
in the same manner as the provisions of this Code. 

SECTION 128. The Board of Appeals shall have power to 
determine whether and to what extent the provisions of this Code 
fire applicable to specific cases which appear to them not to have 
been-contemplated by it, and in such cases shall construe the law 
to secure the beneficial purposes thereof, according to the true 
spirit and intent of the Code. The decision of the Board of Ap¬ 
peals in such cases together with their reasons therefor shall be 
filed in the office of the Superintendent of Buildings within ten 
days after the hearing. A certified copy shall be mailed to the 
appellant and a copy kept publicly posted in the office of the 
Superintendent of Buildings for thirty days thereafter. 

SECTION 129. Materials and methods of construction equiv¬ 
alent to those required by the provisions of this Code may, with 
the written concurrence of the Board of Appeals, be permitted by 
the Superintendent of Buildings. Said written concurrence shail 


THE BUILDING CODE 


25 


specify what is permitted. A record of the required and the 
equivalent method allowed shall be kept publicly posted in the 
office of the Superintent of Buildings. 

SECTION 130. The Superintendent of Buildings, with the con¬ 
currence of the Board of Appeals, may issue necessary regulations 
governing the materials and methods of construction to be em¬ 
ployed for compliance with any of the provisions of this Code 
when such provisions are deemed not sufficiently detailed to secure 
the beneficial purpose intended to be accomplished. 

Such regulations shall be posted as in the preceding section, 
and shall remain in force until rescinded or modified by the Board 
of Appeals or higher authority of competent jurisdiction. 

SECTION 131. It shall be the duty of the Board of Appeals 
to submit to the Mayor on or before the first day of February in 
each year, a report giving a summary of all decisions of the Board, 
together with such recommendations for revisions of the law as 
may seem to them advisable. The Superintendent of Buildings 
shall cause the report to be printed as a separate document for 
public distribution. 

DEFINITIONS. 

(See Index for Other Definitions.) 

SECTION 132. The following words and expressions wherever 
occurring in the Building Code are used in the sense defined in 
this section or as in the respective sections here indicated by 
number. 

ALLEY: Any public thoroughfare 16 feet or less in width. 

ABE A: A space below the surface of the ground adjacent to and 
outside of a building and used in connection therewith. 
BUILDING: Any structure built for the support, shelter or en¬ 
closure of persons, animals or chattels; and when separated 
by division walls without openings, each portion so separated 
shall be deemed a separate building. 

CLUB HOUSE: A building used for the mutual entertainment, 
recreation and lodging of the members only <3f an organized 
club or society and their guests. 

DETENTION: (See Kefuge and Detention). 

DIVISION WALL: An interior wall dividing a building and 
extending from cellar or basement floor to and through the 
roof. 

DWELLING: A family residence in distinction from a tenement 
or apartment. 

ESTABLISHED GBADE: The grade at the street curb as fixed 
by ordinance. 

FACTOBY: A building used for manufacturing articles^ by 

machinery. 

FLAT BUILDING: A building of two or more stories designed 
and used as a residence by two or more families, with separate 
entrances for each. 

GABAGE: A building or any portion thereof in which an auto- 


26 


THE BUILDING CODE 


mobile propelled otherwise than by electricity is kept for any 
purpose other than display. 

GRADE: See established and natural grade. 

HABITABLE ROOM: In a building used wholly or partly as a 
place of habitation; a room in which a family or the individual 
members thereof regularly sleep or eat or carry on their usual 
domestic or social vocations or avocations, in distinction from 
a laundry, bath room, pantry, closet, cellar, corridor or similar 
space used neither frequently nor long at a time. 

HARD PLASTER: A wall plaster made of gypsum with which 
may be ground and mixed sand, fibre, asbestos, wood pulp or 
other suitable aggregate, or a plaster made of cement mortar 
and lime putty. 

HOTEL: A building or any part thereof having more than 
twenty sleeping rooms designed and used for lodging transient 
guests. 

INSPECTOR: The Superintendent of Buildings of the City of 
Seattle or any of his duly authorized assistants. 

LODGING HOUSE: A building or any part thereof used for 
lodging purposes and having more than five and less than 
twenty-one sleeping rooms. 

LOT LINE: The boundary line of a lot as shown .by a recorded 
plat. 

MASONRY: Brick, stone, tile or terra cotta laid in mortar or con¬ 
crete. (See section 336.) 

NATURAL GRADE: The undisturbed natural surface of the 
ground. 

OFFICE BUILDING: A building, the whole or larger part of 
which is used for office purposes and no part of which is used 
as sleeping rooms except for the janitor and his family. 

OPEN LOT: A lot bounded on all sides by street or alley lines. 

OWNER: Any person having title to, or control as guardian or 
trustee of, a building or property. 

PARTY WALL: A wall used or designed to be used in common 
by two buildings. 

PERSON: One«or more natural persons of either sex, associations 
co-partnerships, or corporations, whether acting by themselves 
or by a servant, agent or employee; the singular number shall 
be held and construed to include the plural, and the masculine 
pronoun to include the feminine. 

PUBLIC HALL: A corridor or passageway used in common by 
all the occupants of a building. 

RETAINING WALL: A wall subjected to lateral pressure. 

STORE BUILDING: A building used wholly or in part for dis¬ 
play or sale of goods, wares or merchandise. 

STREET: A public thoroughfare more than 16 feet no inches 
wide. 

THROUGH LOT: A lot running from street to street, but not lo¬ 
cated on a street corner. 

VENEER: An outer facing of brick, stone, concrete, tile or metal 
placed on a wall for decoration or protection. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


27 


WAREHOUSE: A building used for the storage of goods, wares 

or merchandise. 

WIBE GLASS: Glass not less than one-quarter inch thick con¬ 
taining wire fabric. 

WORKSHOP: A building or room in which articles are manufact¬ 
ured by hand. 

PART II. DISTRICT AND CLASSES OF BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 201. There shall be four Building Districts, named 
and defined as follows: First Building District, Second Building 
District, Third Building District and Fourth Building District. 

(The map shown in the appendix is intended to show building 
districts, and paragraphs 202 and 205, both inclusive, which speci¬ 
fically define such districts are therefore deemed superfluous to the 
general public and are omitted.) 

CLASSES OF BUILDINGS AND WHERE PERMITTED. 

SECTION 210. There shall be four classes of buildings, named 
as follows: Fireproof Buildings, Mill Buildings, Ordinary Mason¬ 
ry Buildings and Frame Buildings. 

Buildings in the First Building District shall be Fireproof 
Buildings, or Mill Buildings not over two stories high. Buildings in 
the Second Building District, except as otherwise provided, shall 
be Fireproof Buildings, Mill Buildings, one story ordinary Masonry 
Buildings, and ordinary Masonry Dwellings not over two stories and 
an attic in height. Buildings in the Third Building District, ex¬ 
cept as otherwise provided, shall be Fireproof Buildings, Mill Build¬ 
ings, ordinary Masonry Buildings, one story frame buildings or 
Frame Dwellings not over two stories and an attic in height. Build¬ 
ings in the Fourth Building Dstrict, except as otherwise provided, 
shall be Fireproof, Mill, ordinary Masonry or Frame Buildings. 

SECTION 211. The design, materials or workmanship re¬ 
quired for any particular class of buildings may be used in whole 
or in part in any lower class of buildings if approved by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings. 

A building of a higher class than is required for the building 
district in which it is located shall only be required to have the 
essential structural features of its class, and such buildings shall 
at least comply in other respects with the requirements of build¬ 
ings in said district; provided, however, that fireproof buildings 
over ten stories high shall comply with the requirements for fire¬ 
proof buildings. 

FIREPROOF BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS DEFINED. 

SECTION 212. Fireproof buildings shall conform to the fol¬ 
lowing requirements: 

All materials used in the construction of fireproof buildings, 
except as otherwise provided, shall be waterproof, incombustible 
and fireproof. 

SECTION 213. Fireproof materials shall mean materials 



THE RAECOLITH FLOORING COMPANY 
RAECOLITH and WATSONITE FLOORING 
15-16-17 Haller Bldg. Seattle, Wash. 


A. M. Croxson Wm. Kirk 

Croxson-Kirk Construction Co. 

Specializing in 

Steel and Concrete Structures 

BRIDGES and VIADUCTS WHARVES 

BUILDINGS ROADS and PAVINGS 

Securities Building 

Seattle, Washington 

J. Webb Kitchen & Co. 

Better Awnings, 

Recess Boxes, 

Tents, Canvass 

Main 860 Seattle, Wash. 

SULLIVAN BROS. 

PLUMBING and GAS FITTING 

HOT WATER and STEAM HEATING 

Trimble Bldg., 518 Olive St. 

Main 1128 SEATTLE, WASH. 


28 



















THE BUILDING CODE 


29 


which, when used for building purposes shall, in addition to all 
other requirements, be fire-resisting, incombustible, non-fusible and 
waterproof under conflagration conditions. Under such conditions 
they shall not consume, disintegrate, or distill, but shall retain their 
normal forms and positions, together with adequate strength for 
the purposes for which such materials are used. 

Conflagration conditions shall be considered to be a continuous 
heat lasting four hours, between the temperature of 1500 degrees 
and 1700 degrees Fah., followed by a flood of water for five min¬ 
utes applied under average fire hose conditions* 

SECTION 214. Fireproof materials are burned brick, dense 
tile, porous terra cotta, face terra cotta, mass concrete, reinforced 
concrete, ceramic tile, locked or riveted sheet metal finish, wood 
finish covered with locked or riveted sheet metal, wire glass in 
metal or metal covered frames, steel and iron sections when fire- 
proffed and any other materials approved by the Superintendent 
of Buildings after tests as defined by law. 

SECTION 215. Incombustible materials shall mean materials 
which, when used for building purposes shall not melt, distill' or 
support combustion, but may lose their normal strength, forms and 
positions, when subjected to a heat of 1000 degrees Fah., for one 
hour followed by a flood of water for one minute. 

SECTION 216. Incombustible materials are wrought, rolled 
or cast metals when not fireproofed, stone, artificial stone; plaster 
blocks, cement mortar, rock-asphalt, cinder concrete, plaster on 
metal lath and metal studding; metal lath and thin wood studding 
plastered solid; % inch wired glass and vault lights when approved 
by the Superintendent of Buildings, and such other materials as 
may be approved by him after tests as provided by this Code. 

No plaster of paris, sulphate of lime, coal, saw-dust, coke or 
partly consumed material shall be used where fireproof materials 
are required, except that plaster of paris and sulphate of lime 
may be used in wall plaster and as a gauge for mortar. 

FIREPROOF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION DESCRIBED. 

SECTION 217. In fireproof buildings, all exterior walls and 
the walls of all exterior and party line courts shall be of masonry 
or of masonry in combination with iron or steel. All floors and roofs 
shall be constructed of brick arches, dense tile or porous hollow 
terra cotta arches, mass concrete arches, reinforced concrete slabs, 
or a combination of them. Such brick, tile, terra cotta, mass con¬ 
crete arches, or combination arches shall comply with regulations 
established by the Superintendent of Buildings based on tests as 
provided by this Code, or in accord with the ‘ 1 Standard Test for 
Fireproof Floors” of the American Society for Testing Materials. 

SECTION 218. In fireproof buildings, all metallic structural 
members, excepting the metal work of stairs, marquees, tanks and 
tank supports and similar minor structures shall be protected by 
complete coverings of fireproof and non-conducting materials. The 
outside of all metal columns, beams, girders and all other structural 
iron or steel in all street, alley, court or party line walls, shall 


30 


THE BUILDING CODE 


be fireproofed solid. Such fireproof and non-conducting materials 
shall be burned brick, terra cotta, dense tile or concrete poured in 
place. The supporting metal in the shafts of structural iron, steel 
or reinforced concrete columns and struts erected in position where 
one or more sides are exposed to the weather, or are on a party line 
must be protected on all such exposed sides by. not less than 4" 
of concrete or 4 inches of hard burned brick laid in cement mortar; 
or eight inches of masonry laid in lime mortar; or two inches of 
concrete next to the metal and four inches of exterior masonry en¬ 
closing the concrete. Soffits and exterior edges of beams exposed 
to the weather shall be fireproofed with not less than 2 y 2 inches of 
fireproofing. Structural iron or steel in footings and foundations 
shall be solidly covered by at least four inches of concrete on all 
sides exposed to the earth. 

SECTION 219. In fireproof buildings, all columns, beams, 
girders and other structural iron or steel, when not on the outside 
of the street, alley and court walls, shall be solidly fireproofed be¬ 
yond all parts of the metal with not less than two inches of con¬ 
crete, brick or terra cotta. 

SECTION 220. In fireproof buildings, all edges or points of 
lugs, brackets, rivets or similar structural metal details shall be 
covered with not less than one inch of fireproofing. Where a facing 
such as stone, cast or wrought metal of suitable thickness is used 
which is not in itself fireproof the structural iron or steel shall be 
fireproofed solid independently of such facing with not less than 
two inches of brick, dense tile, terra cotta, or concrete. Plastering 
shall not be considered as fireproofing except as elsewhere pro¬ 
vided. Where concrete is used for fireproofing structural iron or 
steel substantial wire mesh shall be wrapped about all vertical and 
diagonal members and about the underparts of all horizontal 
members. 

^SECTION 221. In fire proof buildings, steel roof construction, 
where large steel trusses are used, may be left unfireproofed, pro¬ 
vided such roof construction is readily accessible for inspection in 
every part. Space below such roof construction shall not be used 
for the sale, manufacture or storage of any materials other than 
fireproof or incombustible materials, unless separated from such 
roof construction by a fireproof ceiling. 

SECTION 222. In fireproof buildings, finish floors of public 
halls and stair platforms shall be of stone, dense tile, ceramic tile, 
cement mortar, cement composition, concrete or other fireproof mat- 
terials approved by the Superintendent of Buildings, and shall be 
at least two inches thick above the top of the supporting beams. 
Finish floors in other parts of the building may be of wood on wood 
sleepers, which shall be imbedded in concrete brought up full and 
flush with top of the sleepers. 


* (In fireproof buildings not over three stories high, designed 
for future stories and in which the ceiling of the top story is the 
fireproof slab for the next future story, a temporary roof of wood 
sheathing on wood forms is permitted, provided all shafts extend¬ 
ing through the attic be enclosed with fireproof material and the 
attic be divided with double shiplap partitions as elsewhere pro¬ 
vided for attics in non-fireproof buildings.) 




THE BUILDING CODE 


31 


*SECTION 223. ..Fireproof openings are openings fitted with 
metal or metal-covered shutters, or fitted with metal or metal- 
covered frames and closed by metal or metal-covered doors or shut¬ 
ters, or by metal or metal-covered sash glazed with ^4-inch wire 
glass, or by a combination of such doors, shutters and glazed sash. 
Sheet metal used for covering frames, doors, shutters and sash shall 
be locked-jointed or riveted. 

Fireproof openings shall be required in fireproof buildings for 
all openings into interior courts, party line courts, and shafts not 
over 20 feet no inches wide and 500 square feet in area; for all 
openings above the main roof level; for all openings in cellar or 
basement, all alley openings, and all other openings which are 
wholly or partly 15 feet no inches or less from an alley, except 
that fireproof openings shall not be required in street fronts, pro¬ 
vided no exposed woodwork shall project more than four inches 
beyond the building line. 

Fireproof buildings other than warehouses, stores, workshops 
and factories, if immediately opposite to fireproof buildings across 
an alley, need not have fireproof openings between the basement 
ceiling and the roof, except that, if there is no fireproof building 
along the adjoining property line, then the openings which are 
wholly or partly 25 feet no inches or less from such property line 
shall be fireproof. 

♦(Fireproof shutters, doors or windows must be equipped with 
automatic self-closing' devices.) 


*SECTION 224. In fireproof buildings, all basement and cellar 
partitions and partitions enclosing stairways and elevator shafts 
shall be fireproof. Partitions enclosing the parts of public hall¬ 
ways which immediately adjoin stairs and elevators shall be fire 
proof except as to openings. All such partitions shall rest upon 
the structural parts of the building and not upon wood floors. The 
solid parts of such partitions shall be built of burned brick, dense 
tile, porous terra cotta, mass concrete or reinforced concrete. Other 
materials meeting the “Standard Test of Fireproofing Partitions" 
of the American Society for Testing Materials may be used if ap¬ 
proved by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

♦At a session of the Board of Appeal held November 5, 1913, 
it was resolved that partitions constructed of galvanized metal 
lath, steel channels and plastered solid two inches thick should be 
classed as “fireproof partitions.” 

SECTION 225. In fireproof buildings, at least 50 per cent, of 
all partitions within each suite shall be incombustible or fireproof. 
All partitions separating one tenant from another, shall be in¬ 
combustible or fireproof. In large spaces occupied by one tenant 
the incombustible or fire proof partitions shall be distributed. All 
incombustible or fireproof partitions which do not extend through 
the finished floor shall extend through the plaster of the ceiling and 
sidewalls, or be otherwise attached to the walls and ceilings to the 
satisfaction of the Superintendent of Buildings. Incombustible 
partitions shall be built of metal lath, metal studs and cement 
plaster, artificial stone, composition blocks, sheet metal over solid 
wood or metal lath and thin wood studding plastered solid. Other 
materials may be used if they comply with the definition of in- 


32 


THE BUILDING CODE 


combustible materials, or if approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings after tests, as provided by this Code. 

SECTION 226. In fireproof buildings, the finish, trimmings 
and partitions within suites not required to be fireproof or in¬ 
combustible may be of wood, or wood and glass, provided no con¬ 
cealed air spaces are formed thereby. No wood shall be used in 
elevator shafts or stairways except handrails and finish window 
stools in stairways; and no wood base or wainscot shall be used in 
stairways or in public hallways adjoining stairs or elevators. 

HEIGHT OF FIREPROOF BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 227. The height of fireproof buildings, except as 
otherwise provided, shall be regulated by a successive reduction 
of the areas of the floors above the third floor. The allowed area 
of the third and lower floors as compared to the lot area is else¬ 
where defined for courts of buildings. The allowed area of the 
fourth and each succeeding floor shall be made less than the al¬ 
lowed area of the floor immediately below by 1 per cent, of the 
lot area, up to the floor first above a height equal to once the 
width of the widest adjoining street, plus 25 feet no inches, but not 
exceeding 125 feet no inches. 

Starting with the floor first above such height, its area shall 
be reduced 2 per cent, of the lot area; the area of the next floor 
above 3 per cent; the next floor 4 per cent., and so on until a floor 
area is reached not exceeding 20 per cent of the lot area. 

SECTION 228. The height of fireproof warehouses, work¬ 
shops, factories, Stores and buildings on lots surrounded by thor¬ 
oughfares shall be regulated by a successive reduction of the areas 
of the floors above a certain floor. Such floor shall be the floor first 
above a height equal to once the width of the widest adjoining 
street, plus 25 feet no inches, but not exceeding 125 feet no inches. 
Starting with the floor first above such height its area shall be re¬ 
duced by 2 per cent, of the lot area. The area of the next floor 
above 4 per cent, the next door 6 per cent., and so on until a floor 
area is reached not exceeding 20 per cent, of the lot area. 

SECTION 229. From such last mentioned floor upward the 
building may continue in the form of a tower or other feature not 
exceeding 20 per cent, of the area of the lot, until a height above 
the street is reached not exceeding twice the allowed height of 
said floor above the street. 

SECTION 230. The height of a building above the street shall 
be measured from the average of the established grades bounding 
the ground story of the building, to the ceiling of the highest 
story. 


FIREPROOF BUILDINGS; BLANKET CLAUSE. 

SECTION 231. In fireproof buildings, if metal or metal cov¬ 
ered trim and finish is used throughout, the reduction of allowed 
floor areas may start two stories higher than hereinbefore pro¬ 
vided. 

SECTION 232. Fireproof buildings shall comply with all other 



THE BUILDING CODE 


33 


provisions of the Code relating to buildings in general or to fire¬ 
proof buildings in particular. 

MILL BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 236. Mill buildings shall conform to the following 
requirements: 

In mill buildings all foundations, exterior walls and the walls 
of all exterior and party line courts shall be of masonry or of 
masonry in combination with iron or steel. The walls of all in¬ 
terior courts exceeding an area of 500 square feet or exceeding a 

width of 20 feet no inches shall be of masonry or of masonry in 

combination with iron or steel. All interior loads shall be carried 
to the foundations by w T alls or piers of masonry, or by columns, 
girders and beams of wood, reinforced concrete, iron or. steel. 
Wood columns shall be not less than 10 inches in least dimension. 
Wood girders shall be not less than 8 inches in least dimension. 

Wood beams shall be not less than 6 inches in least dimension. 

Wood stair carriages shall be not less than 4 inches in least dimen¬ 
sion. Wood risers and treads shall be not less than 2 inches in least 
dimension. 

SECTION 237. In Mill Buildings all steel or iron columns, 
wherever used, and all steel or iron beams and girders used in 
cellars or basements shall be fireproofed with two coverings of 
metal lath and plaster with a one-inch air space between, or fire¬ 
proofed as required for fireproof buildings. 

SECTION 238. In Mill Buildings, floors shall consist of an 
under and an upper floor. Under flooring shall be of splined, or 
tongued and grooved planks not more than 6 inches wide, dressed 
to a thickness of not less than 2% inches and spiked to joists; or 
the underfloor shall be constructed of not less than 2x4-inch mem¬ 
bers sized on one side and one edge, placed on edge and solidly 
spiked together. 

(In laminated floors at least fifty per cent of the timbers must 
pass over the supports of a span to one of the other of the 
quarter points of the adjacent spans. No splices are permitted in 
the middle half of a span and not more than two splices at the same 
point in any one-foot width of floor.) 

On the underfloor shall be placed one layer of 15-pound, water¬ 
proof paper, lapped and turned up at all walls, partitions and 
columns on which may be placed sleepers as shallow as practicable, 
filled flush and full between with mineral wool or concrete or other 
approved fill or fire stop. 

(Waterproof paper may be omitted in plastered mill buildings.) 

The finish floor shall be tongued and grooved flooring not more 
than 6 inches wide, nor less than .% inch thick and laid diagonal 
or crosswise with the underfloor when practicable. The finish 
and under floor shall not extend closer than Y 2 inch to the walls 
which are parallel to the underfloors. The %-inch space shall 
be filled with oakum or other elastic and waterproof material. 
Satisfactory firestops shall be provided to prevent the passage of 
fire through the floors at the columns. Other kinds of flooring may 
be permitted by the Superintendent of Buildings where reqiured 


34 


THE BUILDING CODE 


for specialized uses, provided they have the strength, fire re¬ 
sisting and waterproof qualities required by this Code. 

(Cleats, quarter-rounds or metal flashing's are required around 
posts passing throug-h floors; also along the top and down the ends 
of wood partitions and at simiilar points where shrinkage will open 
up cracks through which fire could otherwise pass.) 

SECTION 239. In Mill Buildings, all floors shall be provided 
with gutters and scuppers for escape of water through outside 
walls at floor levels. All parapet walls shall be provided with 
scuppers over each down spout, not higher than the top of the 
lowest flashing. Gutters and scuppers may be omitted at floor 
levels in buildings used as places of habitation and public assem¬ 
bly and in other buildings if found impracticable by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 240. In Mill Buildings all roof planking shall be 
splined or tongued and grooved not more than 6 inches wide, 
spiked to the beams and dressed to a thickness of not less than 
2% inches; Or, it shall be not less than 2x4 inch members sized on 
one side and one edge, placed on edge and spiked solidly together. 

The roof shall be covered with sheet metal, tar and gravel, 
asbestos tile or dense tile, laid in waterproof material, or other 
incombustible roofing, if approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings after tests as provided by this Code. Tar and gravel 
roofing may be used for slopes under 15 degrees. Tar paper and 
asbestos or dense tile tarred or cemented may be used for slopes 
under 30 degrees. Sheet metal roofing may be used for slopes 
under 45 degrees. Fireproof materials and construction shall be 
used for slopes over 45 degrees. 

SECTION 241. In Mill Buildings all partitions shall be built 
of two thicknesses of splined or tongued and grooved plank not 
more than 6 inches wide, dressed to thickness, not less than 1% 
inches thick and placed vertically with broken joints. Or, parti¬ 
tions shall be built of studs not smaller than 2x4 inches, placed 
vertically side by side, with broken joints and solidly spiked to¬ 
gether. Or, partitions shall be built of metal studs, metal lath and 
cement plaster of a solid thickness of 1% inches. Or, partitions 
shall be built of wood studs not less than 1 inch thick, lathed 
on one side with metal lath, and the studs covered on the other 
side with strips of overlapping metal lath, the entire partition 
plastered solid with cement plaster, finishing not less than 2 inches' 
thick. 

(Laminated partitions are not permitted unless covered on both 
sides with plaster or other approved material to prevent fire from 
working- through the cracks. Single thickness 2x6 matched plank 
partitions of good material when plastered both sides are permitted. 

SECTION 242. In Mill Buildings walls of interior courts, 
and shafts other than for stairs and elevators elsewhere provided, 
having an area less than 500.square feet and a width of less than 
20 feet no inches, shall be built of not less than 1%-inch plank, 
doubled, with broken joints, or of 2x4-inch studs spiked together 
as required for partitions. Such walls shall be covered on the ex¬ 
terior by incombustible or fireproof materials and have incom- 
bustile or fireproof openings. Such walls shall be continuous from 
above the main roof to the bottom of the shaft and shall not be 
cut off at the floor or ceiling levels. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


35 


SECTION 243. In Mill Buildings, walls and floors of spaces 
where heat is generated shall be fireproof. All openings shall be 
fireproof, and all door openings protected by approved automatic 
fire doors. The ceiling of such spaces if not fireproof should be 
double, with a shallow air space between, and divided into small 
air-tight compartments. The upper ceiling shall be metal lath 
and plaster applied directly to wood surfaces, leaving no air 
spaces. The lower ceiling shall be of metal lath and plaster hung 
on metal purlins and metal supports. 

SECTION 244. In Mill Buildings there shall be no concealed 
air spaces in any part of the construction except as herein pro¬ 
vided. 

Low attic spaces of Mill Buildings used for offices and places 
of habitation or public assembly shall be allowed, provided the 
ceiling underneath such space be plastered on metal lath hung on 
metal supports of sufficient strength to carry a uniform live load 
of not less than 15 pounds per square foot. Or, it shall be of floor 
members as required for Mill Buildings. The Superintendent of 
Buildings may require such attic spaces to be supplied with ap¬ 
proved automatic sprinklers and may require a minimum height 
of 2 feet no inches in such space. 

(As an alternate to that construction required by the preceding 
paragraph and by Section 240 for the roofs and top story ceilings 
the following construction may be used: The ceiling of the top 
floor may be constructed of joists not less than 6" thick, girders not 
less than 8" thick and solid flooring of matched planks not less than 
2%" thick or of solid 2x4 construction; in either case plastered on 
the under side. Over this ceiling a roof may be constructed sup¬ 
ported upon furring not less than 2" in least dimension and covered 
with roof sheathing of matched planks not less than 1%" thick. The 
roofing must be tar and gravel or other approved incombustible 
roofing, including approved prepared roofings. All light, vent and 
other shafts extending up through this attic space must be sur¬ 
rounded with the same construction as the ceiling. Such attic 
spaces must be divided by double shiplap partitions into compart¬ 
ments as required elsewhere in the ordinance for attic divisions.) 

Ceilings and walls may be latlied and plastered or covered 
with sheet metal or with wood ceiling boards when the same 
are applied directly to the surface without forming air spaces; 
or such walls and ceilings may be covered with metal lath and 
plaster or sheet metal leaving air spaces not more than 1% inches 
deep for piping or other utilities, provided such spaces are fre¬ 
quently firestopped into tight pockets to the satisfaction of the 
Superintendent of Buildings. Isolated concealed chases for pip¬ 
ing and other utilities may be allowed in mill buildings provided 
such spaces are completely covered inside with sheet metal or 
metal lath and plaster, and provided such spaces are firestopped 
at every floor and ceiling with fireproof materials before being 
closed by sheet metal or metal lath and plaster, and provided they 
are approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. Sheet metal 
shall be applied with long nails or otherwise to the satisfaction 
of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 245. In Mill Buildings no woodwork shall be used 
on the outside of the exterior walls except window and door 
frames, doors, sash and store fronts, as hereinafter limited. No 
such exterior woodwork shall project more than four inches be¬ 
yond the building line. Interior finish and trimmings may be of 
wood provided they form no concealed air space. No woodwork 


36 


THE BUILDING CODE 


shall be used above the main roof level unless it is constructed as 
required of partitions and covered with 30 lbs. asbestos paper and 
sheet metal, or metal lath and cement plaster, except water tow¬ 
ers and tanks when not enclosed. The framework of such towers 
shall be of mill construction, except as elsewhere provided. . 

SECTION 246. In Mill Buildings all openings above the 
main roof level, and all openings in cellars, basements, boiler rooms, 
and other rooms where heat is generated shall be fireproof as 
defined for fireproof buildings. 

Mill Buildings in any building district which adjoin existing 
fireproof buildings shall have all exterior and party line openings 
fireproof, which are within 25 feet no inches of the fireproof 
building, except in street fronts. Mill Buildings in the Second 
Building District any part of which is built nearer than 44 feet no 
inches to a building line of the First Building District, and all 
Mill Buildings in that part of the Second Building District bound¬ 
ed by the center line of Washington Street on the north, the cen¬ 
ter line of Fifth Avenue on the east, the center line of King Street 
on the south, and the center line of Railroad Avenue on the 
west shall have all exterior openings fireproof throughout the 
building, except street fronts. 

All Mill Buildings in the Frst Building District shall have all 
exterior openings fireproof except street fronts. 

SECTION 247. In Mill Buildings approved automatic sprink¬ 
lers shall be installed throughout all cellars, throughout all base¬ 
ments where any non-fireproof, combustible or inflammable mat¬ 
erials are used, stored or manufactured, and throughout all boiler 
rooms or other parts of Mill Buildings of the First and Second 
Building Districts where heat is generated. All Mill Buildings in 
the Second Building District any part of which is built nearer 
than 44 feet no inches to a building line of the first Building 
District, and all Mill Buildings in that part of the Second Build¬ 
ing District bounded by the center line of Washington Street on 
the north, the center line of Fifth Avenue on the East, the center 
line of King Street on the south, and the center line of Railroad 
Avenue on the west, shall have approved automatic sprinklers in¬ 
stalled throughout, except buildings or parts thereof used for 
places of habitation, refuge and detention or offices. All such 
sprinkler installations shall comply with regulations issued by the 
Superintendent of Buildings which shall not exeeed the require¬ 
ments of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Roof tanks 
may be onjdtted in Mill Buildings where sprinklers * are only re¬ 
quired in cellars, basements, first stories, and in boiler rooms and 
other places where heat is generated. 

HEIGHT OF MILL BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 248. No side of a* Mill Building shall exceed an 
average of 80 feet no inches in height above the established grade 
along such side, nor be more than 90' 0" above such grade 
at any point. No Mill Building shall exceed an average of six 
stories nor exceed seven stories in any part. The height shall 
be measured from the established grade to the highest ceiling. 
In case such heights would exceed * the heights allowed for fire¬ 
proof buildings, then the heights shall be determined as re-, 
quired for fireproof buildings of the same occupancy. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


37 


Towers, spires, or other similar features may be built of mill 
construction if not more than 25 feet no inches square and con¬ 
structed to meet the approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

MILL BUILDINGS BLANKET CLAUSE. 

SECTION 249. Mill Buildings shall comply with all other 
provisions of the Code relating to buildings in general or to Mill 
Buildings in particular. 

ORDINARY MASONRY BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 255. Ordinary Masonry Buildings shall conform to 
the following requirements: Ordinary Masonry Buildings shall 
have all foundations, exterior walls, party line walls and the 
walls of exterior and party line courts, constructed of masonry, 
or masonry, iron and steel. 

SECTION 256. In ordinary Masonry Buildings, the walls of 
interior courts and shafts shall be continuous from above the 
roof to the bottom of the shafts. They shall be constructed of two 
thicknesses of 1%-inch matched planks not more than 8 inches 
wide, put on vertically with broken joints. Or such walls may be 
constructed of 2x4-inch studs placed vertically and spiked solidly 
to each other flatwise. The outside shall be covered with sheet 
metal properly lapped or lock-jointed, or with metal lath or ap¬ 
proved plaster board and % inch of cement plaster. Or, such walk, 
may be constructed of not less than 3x4 inches open space studs 
firestopped four times in the height of each story, filled solid with 
masonry at each floor and at the roof, and lathed with metal lath 
or approved plaster board on both sides and covered with cement 
plaster. 

SECTION 257. In ordinary Masonry Buildings, the interior 
frame and finish may be of wood, and the frame shall be of suffi¬ 
cient strength to carry its loads safely. Interior loads above the 
ground floor may be carried on bearing stud partitions, except that 
not more than four floors and a roof may be so carried. Interior 
partition walls in dwellings when not more than two stories 
high and 30 feet no inches long may be built of 4-inch brickwork 
if satisfactory to the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 258. In ordinary Masonry Buildings, bearing walls 
and partitions shall be constructed of not less than 2x4 studs, 
and if carrying more than one floor and roof, not less than 3x4 
inches or 2x6-inch studs. Studs shall be placed with their greater 
dimensions crosswise of the partitions and not more than 16 inches^ 
on centers. Non-bearing partitions may be constructed of 2x4 
inch studding set flat and spaced not more than 16-inch centers. 
Stud-bearing partitions shall rest on walls or girders, or be placed 
directly over other bearing partitions; or the floor joists of the 
floor below shall be sufficiently strengthened to support the con¬ 
centrated load. If plates and sills are used for partitions they 
are to be not less than 2x4 inches. 

SECTION 259. In ordinary Masonry Buildings, the floor and 
roof joists shall have a bearing of at least 4 inches at each end, or 
its equivalent, and shall not be less than 2 inches thick and of 


— Front Rank, American, and Thatcher Furnaces — 

FINLAY & ROBB, Inc. 

Phone Main 3704 

Tin, Sheet Iron, and Furnace Workers 

TAR AND GRAVEL ROOFING 
STEEL CEILING 

90 Lenora Street SEATTLE 

H. R. RUSTAD, Pres. CHAS. B. ERNST, Secy. 

Rustad Heating & Plumbing Company 

CONTRACTORS 

Steam and Hot Water Heating 

315 Second Avenue South 
Main 5718 SEATTLE 

J. G. MAITLAND Phone Main 1438 

ELECTRICAL 
ENGINEERING CO. 

112 Marion St. 

Wiring 

Armature Winding 
Dynamos and Motors 

Electrical Construction SEATTLE, WASH. 

-RAINIER VALLEY 

The Contractor and Builder who is con¬ 
templating Construction Work of any kind is 
reminded of the unusually fine facilities for 
movement of Carload Shipments possessed by 
the SEATTLE AND RAINIER VALLEY 
RAILWAY COMPANY . 


38 









THE BUILDING CODE 


39 


sufficient size to carry the load safely. Joists carrying partitions 
shall be doubled or otherwise sufficiently strengthened. Joists hav¬ 
ing a span of 8' 0" or more shall be bridged. Rows of bridg¬ 
ing shall be not more than 8 feet no inches apart. - The cross 
bridging shall be 1x3 inches unless the live load is over 75 pounds 
to the square foot, when the bridging shall be 2x3 inches. 

SECTION 260. In ordinary Masonry Buildings, solid bridging 
not less than two inches thick and the full width of the studding 
shall be cut in between the studding at each floor and not more 
than 6 feet no inches in height apart, and shall be cut in be¬ 
tween the studding it all ceilings and just below where the studs 
are connected to the rafters or roof joists. When plates and sills 
are used, bridging at floors and ceilings may be omitted. 

Floor and roof joists shall have a solid firestop of masonry 
over all bearing walls and partitions; or they shall have solid 
bridging not less than 2 inches thick by the full width of the joist 
and cut in between the joists with close-fitting joints. Sheet metal, 
mortar, mineral wool or other incombustible material shall be 
placed around all pipes or flues where they pass through partitions, 
floors and ceilings in such a manner as will completely close the 
opening. On all plastered masonry walls where furring is used the 
spaces between the furring shall have firestops at every floor and 
ceiling and midway between. 

SECTION 261. In ordinary Masonry Buildings, floors shall be of 
at least two' thicknesses of flooring, laid at an angle with each 
other when practicable. Roof joists shall be tightly boarded, 
with matched sheathing not more than 8 inches wide nor less than 
1 inch thick, covered with one layer of asbesfos paper, on which 
shall be placed burned or asbestos tile, slate, or asbestos shingles, 
sheet metal, tar and gravel roofing, or other incombustible roofing 
approved by the Superintendent of Buildings after tests, as pro¬ 
vided by this Code. Mansard or other roofs on exterior or party 
line court walls having a slope of more than 60 degrees shall be 
constructed of fireproof materials. Tar and gravel roofing shall 
not be used on a slope of more than 15 degrees. 

SECTION 262. In ordinary Masonry Buildings, no wooden 
girder, rafter, joist, plate sill or other member shall be cut or 
bored for pipes or other purposes on the under side. Such mem¬ 
bers may be cut on the upper side and studs and posts may be cut 
near the ends, provided they are cut in such a manner as not 
seriously to impair their strength and provided they are sufficiently 
reinforced. 

SECTION 263. In ordinary Masonry Buildings, all partitions 
and ceilings shall be lathed and plastered with hard plaster at 
least % inch thick, or covered with sheet metal; and all base¬ 
ment and cellar ceilings, hall ceilings, stair soffits, stairways, pass¬ 
ages and the side of partitions forming public halls shall be 
plastered on approved plaster board or metal lath; or, shall be 
covered with sheet metal lapped 2 inches or lo'cked-jointed. Sheet 
metal shall be applied with long nails or otherwise, as approved 
by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

Such sheet metal shall be pressed, corrugated or stamped of 
not less than 30 gauge and applied directly against a good sur¬ 
face of sheeting. Such sheet metal shall not be used as a sub- 


40 


THE BUILDING CODE 


stitute for plastering in places of habitation, refuge or detention 
or in places of public assembly. 

HEIGHT OF ORDINARY MASONRY BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 264. No side of an ordinary Masonry Building shall 
exceed an average of 60 feet no inches in height above the estab¬ 
lished grade along such side, nor be more than 70 feet no inches 
above such grades at any point, nor exceed an average of five 
stories high, nor exceed six stories in any part. The height shall 
be measured from the established grade to the highest ceiling. 

Towers, spires or other similar features may be built of 
ordinary masonry if not more than 20 feet no inches square and 
constructed to meet the approval of the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings. 


SECTION 265. One-story ordinary masonry buildings not over 
20 feet no inches high may be built in the Second Building Dis¬ 
trict, but if built on any street, alley or line dividing the Second 
Building District from the First Building District or within 10 feet 
no inches of such dividing line, they shall have fireproof openings 
and automatic sprinklers as required of mill buildings in general 
in the Second Building District. 

Ordinary masonry dwellings not over two stories and an 
attic in height may be built in the Second Building District, but 
if built on any street, alley or line dividing the Second Building 
District from the First Building District, or within 10 feet no 
inches of such dividing line, they shall have approved automatic 
sprinklers and fireproof openings in boiler rooms as required of 
mill buildings. 

ORDINARY MASONRY BUILDINGS BLANKET CLAUSE. 

SECTION 266. Ordinary Masonry Buildings shall comply with 
all provisions of the Code relating to buildings in general or to 
ordinary masonry buildings in particular. 

FRAME BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 270. Frame buildings shall conform to the fol¬ 
lowing requirements: 

Frame buildings may have their frames and finish built of 
wood and the frame shall be of sufficient strength to carry its 
loads. The frames may be of sills, posts, girts, plates and rafters, 
or ordinary balloon framing of studs and .-joists. Double plank 
construction may be used for the frame of two-story buildings 
and single plank construction may be used for the frame of one- 
story buildings, when approved by the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings. 

SECTION 271. In frame buildings, bearing walls and parti¬ 
tions shall be constructed of not less than 2x4-inch studs, and if 
carrying two floors and roof not less than 3x4-inch or 2x6-inch 
studs. Studs shall be placed with their greater dimension cross¬ 
wise of the partition and not more than 16 inches on center. Non¬ 
bearing partitions may be constructed of 2x3-inch studding set 
flat and spaced as required for bearing partitions. Stud-bearing 


THE BUILDING CODE 


41 


partitions shall rest on walls or girders, or be placed directly over 
other bearing partitions; or the floor joists of tl^e floor below 
shall be sufficiently strengthened to support the concentrated load. 
If plates and sills are used for partitions they are not to be less 
than 2x4 inches. 

SECTION 272. In frame buildings, floors and roof joists 
shall have a bearing of at least 4 inches or its equivalent at each 
end and shall not be less than 2 inches thick and of sufficient size 
to carry the load safely. Joists carrying partitions shall be doubl¬ 
ed or otherwise sufficiently strengthened. Joists having a span of 
10 feet no inches or more shall be bridged. Rows of bridging 
shall be not more than 10 feet no inches apart. Rows of bridging 
shall be 1x3 inches unless the load is over 75 pounds to the square 
foot, when the bridging shall be 2x3 inches. 

SECTION 273. In frame buildings, solid bridging not less 
than 2 inches thick and the full width of the studding shall be 
cut in between the studding at each floor, and midway between the 
floor and the ceiling of each story. 

Floor and roof joists shall have a solid firestop of masonry 
over all bearing walls and partitions; or they shall have solid 
bridging not less than 2 inches thick by the full width of the 
joists and cut in between the joists with tight joints. Sheet 
metal, mortar, mineral wool or other incombustible material shall 
be placed around all pipes or flues where they pass through parti¬ 
tions, floors and ceilings in such a manner as will completely close 
the opening, if any. 

SECTION 274. Buildings having the upper story or stories 
of wood construction, or having wood gables or hippqd roofs of 
wood and the ground story constructed with masonry walls, shall 
be considered as frame buildings. Buildings, any portion of the 
exterior wall of which is of wood construction veneered with 
stucco, sheet metal or masonry, shall be considered as a Frame 
Building. Masonry veneer shall not be less than 4 inches thick, 
and shall be anchored to the frame and firestopped to meet the 
approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

Every building having dormer or bay windows, balconies, 
cornices or mouldings constructed of wood not entirely covered 
with sheet metal with locked joints, or with slate or tile, or with 
metal lath and cement mortar, or having all or any portion of its 
roof or the openings thereof not covered with incombustible or 
fireproof material, shall be classed as a frame building. 

SECTION 275. No wooden girder, rafter, joist, plate, sill, or 
other horizontal or inclined member shall be cut or bored 
for pipes or other purposes on the under side. Such members may 
be cut on the upper side, and studs and posts may be cut near 
the ends, provided they fire cut in such a manner as not seriously 
to impair their strength and provided they are sufficiently rein¬ 
forced. 

SECTION 276. Every Frame Building used in whole or in 
part as a public building, an office building, place of assembly, 
place of refuge and detention, or place of habitation other than 
a dwelling, shall have all walls, partitions and ceilings lathed and 
plastered not less than % inch thick. If such building is two 


42 


THE BUILDING CODE 


stories or more in height, the side of partitions adjoining public 
halls, passages and stairways, and all stair soffits and hall ceil¬ 
ings shall be lathed througout with approved metal lath and 
plastered with hard plaster not less' than % inch thick. 

SECTION 277. Every Frame Building two stories or more in 
height, partly used as a stable, store, warehouse, factory or work 
shop, and partly used as a place of public assembly, or a place 
of habitation, refuge or detention, shall have partitions of halls, 
passageways and stairways constructed as required for partitions 
in Mill Buildings, or of incombustible stud construction, unless 
otherwise in this Code provided, and the ceilings thereof shall 
be made fire resistive as approved by the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings. 

SECTION 278. All cellar, and basement ceilings of Frame 
Buildings used as places of habitation, refuge or detention, or as 
places of public assembly, except in dwellings and buildings ap¬ 
purtenant thereto, shall be lathed and plastered or covered with 
metal, lock-jointed or lapped 2 inches; provided, however, that in 
buildings where the floors forming such ceilings are constructed as 
required of Mill Buildings such metal or lath and plaster may be 
omitted. 

HEIGHT OF FRAME BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 279. No side of a Frame Building shall exceed an 
average of 40 feet no inches in height above the established grade 
along such side, nor be more than 50 feet 0 inches above such grade 
at any point, nor exceed an average of three stories, or exceed 
four stories in any part. The height shall be measured from the 
established grade to the highest ceiling of mansard or flat-roofed 
buildings and to the average height of pitch-roofed buildings. 

Towers, spires or other similar features *may be built of frame 
construction if not .more than 15 feet no inches square and if con¬ 
structed to meet the approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 280. One-story Frame Buildings not over 20 feet 
no inches high and frame dwellings not over two stories and an 
attic in height may be built in the Third Building District, but if 
built on any street, alley or line dividing the Second Building Dis¬ 
trict from the Third Building District, or within 10 feet no inches 
of such building line, they shall be roofed and plastered as re¬ 
quired of Ordinary Masonry Buildings. 

FRAME BUILDINGS BLANKET CLAUSE. 

SECTION 281. Frame Buildings shall comply with all other 
provisions of the Code relating to buildings in general, or to frame 
buildings in particular. 

ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS. 

SECTION 285. A CORNER LOT is any part of a block 50 
feet 0 inches in least dimension and located at the intersection 
of two or more streets. If the corner part of a corner lot is built 
upon, and such corner part equals at least one-half of the corner 
lot, then the remainder of the lot shall not be considered as part of 


THE BUILDING CODE 


43 


a comer lot. When the lot angle at the intersection falls be¬ 
tween 140 and 220 degrees the streets shall not be considered to 
intersect and the lot is not a corner lot. 

An INSIDE LOT is any part of a block which faces one 
street or one street and an alley, or two streets, but not at their 
intersections. 

A THOROUGHFARE shall be considered to be a street or an 
nlley. Public Parks, Squares, Cemeteries, or other permanently 
unoccupied spaces may be considered as streets in regulating the 
height of buildings if so approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings. 

A YARD is any part of. a lot extending the full width or 
length of the lot or its equivalent and uncovered from the ground 
to the sky and not included by any angle or angles of the building. 

A COURT is any free, unobstructed and unoccupied part of a 
lot or the space above it, extending from the roof downwards to 
the ground or to any floor and included by one or more angles of 
the building. 

An INTERIOR COURT is a court entirely enclosed by the 
walls of the building and used for light and ventilation, always 
including the light and ventilation of one or more sleeping, living 
or working rooms or other rooms occupied by people. 

An EXTERIOR COURT is a court included by one or more 
walls of the building, but not entirely enclosed by such walls. 

A PARTY LINE COURT is a court surrounded by the walls 
of the building and by the party line of the' adjoining property. 

A SHAFT is usually smaller than a court and is any free, 
unobstructed and unoccupied part of a lot, or the space above it, 
extending from the roof downwards to any floor and entirely en¬ 
closed by the walls of the building and used to light and ventilate 
stairs, elevator shafts, water closets, slop sink closets, private 
laundries, bath rooms, pantries, kitchenettes, or for similar pur¬ 
poses approved by the Superintendent of Buildings, but not used 
to light and ventilate sleeping, living, working rooms, or other 
rooms occupied by people. 

A STORY is that part of a building between two successive 
finished floor levpls. 

For the purpose of numbering the stories of buildings, the 
first or ground floor is that floor nearest to the average inside 
grade level of the thoroughfare upon which the building fronts, or 
the floor upon which the main entrance is located. 

Any part of the first story extending into higher ground so as 
to become by definition a basement or cellar, may be considered 
by the Superintendent of Buildings as a basement or cellar. 

In special cases due to steep grades the building ordinances are 
to be so construed as to obtain conditions of safety, light, air and 
ventilation equivalent to those required in buildings on approxi¬ 
mately level ground. 

A BASEMENT is a story or any part of a story, of which not 
more than one-half the height is below the level of the abutting 
thoroughfares ^ nor below the genera level of the surrounding 
ground; or a story of which not more than three-fourths its height 
is below such level, provided an areaway as defined by this code 
and not less than 2 feet 6 inches wide is built entirely along that 
' part of sueh story. 


44 


THE BUILDING CODE 


A CELLAR is a story or any part of a story of which more 
than Y 2 the height is below the level of the abutting thorough¬ 
fare or below the general level of the surrounding ground, with 
the exception stated under definition of basement story. 

DISTANCE APART AND FROM LOT LINES, FRAME 
BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 286. Except as hereinafter provided, every frame 
building shall be at least 3 feet 0 inches from the lines of adjoin¬ 
ing lots. Unless otherwise provided, any frame building may be 
within less than 3 feet no inches of the line of an adjoining lot if 
the wall of such frame building adjoining or facing toward such 
lot line be of masonry or of approved incombustible or slow burn¬ 
ing construction. Every opening in such wall shall be either an 
automatic closing or fixed fireproof window, or an automatic fire 
door. 

Any frame dwelling may be within less than 3 feet 0 inches 
of the line of an adjoining lot; provided frame dwellings, as 
ordinarily constructed, shall be kept not less than 3 feet 0 inches 
apart for fire-fighting purposes. Frame outbuildings, appurtenant 
to dwellings, if not exceeding 15 feet 0 inches in height and not 
exceeding 400 square feet in ground area may be within less than 
3 feet 0 inches of the line of an adjoining lot, provided such out¬ 
buildings, including private garages, shall be so placed as not 
seriously to obstruct the light or vitiate the air required for places 
of habitation, and so as not to create unnecessary or serious fire 
hazard. Such outbuildings and their location shall be subject to 
the approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

In his reasonable discretion the Superintendent of Buildings 
may permit appendages on frame buildings to be within less than 
3 feet 0 inches of the line of an adjoining lot, or within less than 
3 feet 0 inches of another frame building. 


LIGHT, AIR AND VENTILATION. 

SECTION 287. Good and ample light, air and ventilation shall 
be provided for every building, and such light, air and ventilation 
shall be fully sufficient for the occupants and for the users of the 
building, and such light, air and ventilation shall not be less than 
herein required. 

The entire lot area may be occupied by cellar, basement and 
first stories of all buildings except frame buildings and except 
tenements or apartment buildings. Fireproof buildings used for 
tenements or apartments above the first story, and for other pur¬ 
poses below may have cellar and basement covering the entire lot 
and first story covering the entire width of lot if such lower stories 
are supplied with light, air and ventilation, good and sufficient for 
the purposes for which they are used. 

No second or third floor of any building shall cover a greater 
percentage of the lot on which the building stands than that 
shown by the following table: 


“On Sept. 1st, 1915, the Board of Appeals ruled “that dwellings- 
as ordinarily constructed may be placed within 3 feet of lot lines 
Prodded, that no part thereof shall be less than 18 ° from £Sa 



THE BUILDING CODE 


45 


Corner lots on 2 streets ... 

Corner lots—2 streets and an alley.. 

Corner lots on 3 streets . 

Lots surreunded by thoroughfares.. 

Inside lots on 1 street . 

Inside lots on 1 street and an alley.... 
Inside lots on 2 streets . 


31 ° 1 



<p t! 

O O 

3 o 

c$ m <d 


3) 

o ft 

*S*Sg 

a> 

O 

M 

2 

13 

a> 

to 8 
o. m 
> o O 

tn jj • •• o> +3 

» Q® 

o 5) ^ 3 oi 

« 

M 

<v 

o 

33 

„ CO tfi 

* « ,3 'B ® 

P 

6 

e 

o 

H3 t> at 

83% 

88% 

93% 

100 % 

85% 

90% 

95% 

100 % 

87% 

92% 

97% 

100 % 

100 % 

100 % 

100 % 

100 % 

73%, 

78% 

83% 

100 % 

75% 

80% 

85% 

100 % 

77% 

82% 

87% 

100 % 


The Board of Appeals in regular session of February 4th, 1914, 
amplified the provisions of the above Section 287, as follows: 




£ 

O 

2 2 -a 






a 8* § 



| 3 



e3 of Hab: 
pt Hotels 
s; Places ■ 
ge and 
ntion; Sch 

s ; Hotels 

j§ 

"5 

© 

i. Warehou 
cshops, Fac 
Stores 



O ? © 

3 a 3 'S ® 

Ph ® a P 

33 

P 

8 

£ 

o 

Lofts 

Worl 

and 

Lots on corner of 1 street 

and 

1 




alley, with greater frontage 

on 




street! .. 


.... 81% 

86% 

91% 

100% 

Lots on corner of 1 street 

and 

1 




alley, but with greater frontage 




on alley . 


. 79% 

84% 

89% 

100% 

Lots on corner of 1 street 

and 

1 




alley, with frontage on 

street 




and alley equal . 


. 80% 

85% 

,90% 

100% 


The foregoing requirements were made in order to provide for 
alley corner lots, which were not already covered by Section No. 
287. 


In buildings on lots surrounded by thoroughfares the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings shall require courts, when needed, sufficient 
to afford light and air equal to the light and air required of like 
buildings on corner lots. 

SECTION 288. The area of courts of each story above the 
third story in mill and ordinary masonry buildings, not used as 
warehouses, workshops, factories or stores, shall be 1 per cent, 
of the lot area greater than the area of the eourts of the floors 
immediately below. The area of courts above the third floor in 
fireproof buildings shall be as required in determining the heights 
of fireproof buildings. 

SECTION 289. Sleeping, living, working rooms, kitchens, 
offices and other rooms occupied by people in places of habitation, 
refuge and detention, clubs, office buildings, workshops, factories 
and other places of dike requirements for light, air and ventilation 
shall be lighted through an outside or court wall or through the 
ceiling. When such rooms have their only glass exposure upon 









46 


THE BUILDING CODE 


an interior or party line court, then such court shall have at least 
the following minimum widths for the different stories of the 


courts: 

Minimum 


Minimum 

Height 

Width 

Height 

Width 

1 story. 

... 5 feet 

9 story. 

.16 feet 

2 story. 

. 6 feet 

10 story. 

..18 feet 

3 story. 

. 7 feet 

11 story. 

.20 feet 

4 story. 

. 8 feet 

12 story. 

.22 feet 

5 story. 

. 9 feet 

13 story. 

.24 feet 

6 story. 

.10 feet 

14 story. 

.26 feet 

7 story..... 

.12 feet 

15 story. 

.28 feet 

8 story. 

.*14 feet 

16 story. 

.30 feet 


Party line courts in such buildings may be not less than 
three-quarters of the minimum width of interior courts but shall 
be of a length not less than the minimum width and the length 
shall be parallel to the party line. 

When a fireproof building is built adjoining a lower fireproof 
building, constructed to its designed height and not less than 
four stories high, the size of the party line court for the high 
building need not be larger than is required by the above table 
for the lower building, provided the combined area of adjoining 
party line courts be not less than is required for both buildings 
upon the basis of the height of the lower building, and providing 
said courts are joined for a distance along the party line equal 
to twice the above required minimum width. 

Exterior courts in such buildings which are open to the outside 
air at the end only shall not be less in width than 75 per cent of 
the minimum width of interior courts. Such court shall not be 
longer than five times the mean width. 

A court, when covered by a skylight, shall have the required 
minimum width increased 25 per cent, and such skylight shall 
have louvres or other ventilation having a fixed open area equal 
to 10 per cent of the area of the court. The Superintendent of 
Buildiings may require additional fixed or movable louvres or 
vents if the conditions of light, air and ventilation require it. 

In no case shall the sum of the area of all courts, shafts and 
yards be less than the percentage of the lot, or the space above 
the lot, required by the Code to be left uncovered. 

Interior or party line courts, unless of 50 per cent, greater 
area than that required in such buildings, shall have readily access¬ 
ible from the bottom story of the court a clear, unobstructed duct 
or passageway leading to a yard or thoroughfare and having a 
cross section equal to not less than 5 per cent, of the area of 
the court, except in buildings not over three stories high where 
such duct or passageway may be omitted. 

Eire escapes shall not be considered as obstructions to the 
area of yards or courts provided such yards, courts amd fire escapes 
fulfill the uses for which they are intended. 

SECTION 290. Good and sufficient light, air and ventilation 
shall be provided for all shafts. 

Outside wall openings, courts or shafts shall be used to light 
and ventilate kitchenettes, except that kitchenettes shall not open 
into the same shaft with bathrooms, water closets, slop sink closets 


















THE BUILDING CODE 


47 


or with other spaces producing objectionable odors, dusts or 
gases. 

SECTION 291. Outside wall openings, courts, shafts or vent 
ducts shall be used to light and ventilate water closets, private 
laundries, bathrooms, pantries, and for similar purposes if re¬ 
quired by the Superintendent of Buildings, except that pantries 
shall not open into the same shaft with other spaces producing 
objectionable odors, dusts or gases. 

TOILET BOOMS—VENTILATION OF. 

SECTION 292. General water closet accommodations for* 
tenement, apartment or lodging houses shall not be permitted in 
cellars or basements or under sidewalks. 

Every room in which water closets or urinals are installed 
must be open to the outer air by means of a window, or ventilated 
light shaft, provided, however, -where water closets are placed 
in stories one or more of which is below the ground level, or in 
interior rooms, a vent duct of sheet metal and artificial light may 
Ue employed instead. Windows for rooms in which water closets 
or urinals are installed shall have an area of not less than 1 foot 
0 inches in width and shall have an area of not less than one-eighth 
of the total fioor space of the room in which said fixtures are in¬ 
stalled; provided, however, that in no case shall such windows have 
an area of less than 432 square inchees. 

Light shafts used for the ventilation of toilet and urinal rooms 
shall have an area not less than one-twentieth of the combined 
area of the floor space of all such rooms opening therein. 

Light shafts used for such purposes in tenement or apart¬ 
ment houses and other places of habitation, refuge and detention 
shall have an area of not less than one-tenth of the combined area 
of the floor space of such rooms opening therein. The width of 
such shaft shall not be less than one-third of its length. 

Every light shaft used for ventilation of toilet rooms and 
having a skylight over shall be increased 25 per cent, in area and 
shall be ventilated by fixed louvres. The total area of such louvre 
opening shall not be less than the total area of said light shafts. 
Every light shaft used for ventilating and lighting toilet rooms 
and having more than three of its sides enclosed must have no 
connection with, or openings into, rooms used for any other purpose. 
Booms in which urinals or water closets 9 -re located shall be sepa¬ 
rated from all other rooms and hallways by substantial partitions 
extending to the ceiling. There shall be no opening or transom 
from adjoining rooms or hallways except the door provided for en¬ 
trance to same; provided, however, nothing in this section shall 
prevent the use of stationary windows for lighting purposes in 
said partition. Doors for toilet rooms shall be provided with 
self-closing arrangements to keep same closed at all times when 
not in use. 

SECTION 293. Vent ducts for rooms where water closets and 
urinals are located shall have an area equal to 2 square inches to 
every square foot of floor space of the room in which fixtures are 
located; provided, however, there shall not be allowed any vent 
ducts less than 48 square inches in cross sectional area and not 
lass than 4 inches of inside width. Vent ducts from toilet rooms must 


48 


THE BUILDING CODE 


be run separate to the outer air or the roof, and must be as 
nearly vertical as practicable and must have no angle greater than 
% bend when practicable. Each room shall have a separate duct 
which in no case shall have any connection with, or opening into, 
any other room except that several ducts may be connected into 
one ventilator at roof, such ventilator to be of an area equal to 
the combined area of all ducts connected thereto. Such ducts 
shall be made of heavy sheet metal and other approved fireproof 
materials. All joints shall be made air-tight. Such vent ducts 
may be used to ventilate bed closets and bed pockets provided 
such bed pockets or bed closets have ducts or fixed open louvres for 
, ingress of air equal in area to the required vent ducts for egress 
of air, further provided that such bed closets and bed pockets are 
well ventilated and sanitary. 

SECTION 294. ■ Plans showing methods of ventilating all 
rooms and compartments of the building and the location and 
kind of plumbing fixtures to be installed, must be filed at the 
office of the Department of Health and Sanitation before a permit 
is issued for the installation of any plumbing or drainage. 

PART III. STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS 

LIVE LOADS. 

SECTION 301. All buildings and the several parts thereof 
shall be designed to resist the dead and live load, wind and other 
applied forces, without exceeding the allowable working stresses 
in building materials as prescribed by this Code. 

SECTION 302. The dead load of a building is its own weight, 
including: Partitions and permanent fixtures and mechanisms. 

Section 303. Live load shall comprise all load other than dead 
load. Floors and roofs shall be designed for the actual live load in¬ 
tended to be applied, but in no case less than the required live 
load hereinafter stated. 

SECTION 304. The live load required on each square foot of 
area shall be as follows: 

30 pounds for: Any marquee or permanent awning. 

40 pounds for: Places of habitation, including: Hotels, Board¬ 
ing or Lodging Houses, Tenements, Apartments or Flats, Family 
Residences, Clubs, except rooms containing over 500 square feet of 
floor area; Stairways in family residences, area of treads and 
landings. Roofs, horizontal area. 

50 pounds for: Office Buildings above the ground floor; Places 
of Refuge and Detention, including; Hospitals, Buildings for hous¬ 
ing the aged, the sick and infirm, imbeciles or children; Asylums 
Houses of Correction, Police Stations, Jails, Class Rooms with 
fixed seats, seating less than 100 pupils. 

75 pounds for: Places of Public Assembly with fixed seats, in¬ 
cluding: Theatres, Moving Picture and Vaudeville show places; 
Assembly Halls, Churches, Chapels, School Rooms seating more 
than 100 persons, Court Rooms; Rooms in places of Habitation 
containing over 500 square feet of floor area; Stable and Carriage 
Houses. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


- 49 


100 pounds for: Places of Public Assembly, without fixed 
seats, including: Assembly Halls, Dance Halls, Pinks, Restaurants 
and Public Dining Rooms, Depots, Lodge Halls, Parish Halls, Pub¬ 
lic Lobbies and Corridors in Schools or other places of assembly; 
Places of Public Exhibition, including: Exhibition and Exposition 
Buildings; Grand Stands for Baseball, Athletic or Amusement 
Parks and like structures, Museums, Art Galleries and like struct¬ 
ures, Ordinary Stores, above the ground floor; Stairways in all 
buildings, except family residences, area of treads and landings. 

125 pounds for: Office buildings and Ordinary Store Buildings, 
ground floor and basement; Light Manufacturing; Light Storage; 
Garages. 

250 pounds for: Armories, Drill Rooms and Riding Schools. 

SECTION 305. All buildings or parts of buildings hereafter 
erected and not herein specifically described shall be constructed 
amply strong for the purpose intended. 

In the case of buildings used for heavy merchandise manu¬ 
facture, or storage, or any other purpose for which the live load 
is not herein prescribed, the live load, upon application, shall be 
determined by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 306. Before any building hereafter erected or altered 
to be occupied as a store building, warehouse, factory or workshop, 
shall be occupied or used for any such purpose, the owner of such 
building shall procure from the Superintendent of Buildings a 
certificate in writing certifying to the amount of live load per 
superficial foot which each floor of said building is designed to 
sustain with apparent safety, and a copy of such certificate shall 
be kept constantly posted in a conspicuous place on each floor; and 
it shall be unlawful for any person to place any greater live load 
upon any floor of such building than that ’specified in such certi¬ 
ficate. 

Whenever the Superintendent of Buildings shall have reason 
to believe that any building now or hereafter used or occupied 
for any of the purposes above mentioned is being subjected to 
greater loads upon any floor than said floor is designed to carry 
with apparent safety, it shall be his duty to make an examination 
of such building and compute the loads which each floor thereof 
is designed to carry safely, and to issue his certificate as herein¬ 
before provided, and cause the same to be posted in a conspicuous 
place on each floor of such building, and it shall thereafter be un¬ 
lawful for any person to place any greater live load upon any 
floor of such building than that specified in such certificate. 

It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, mutilate, de¬ 
stroy or conceal any certificate issued by the Superintendent of 
Buildings and posted as provided in this section. 

SECTION 307. Reduction of live load shall not be permitted 
in determining the strength of any part of a building except in 
accordance with the following provisions: 

Walls, piers and columns, in buildings more than three stories 
high used for stores, offices, places of habitation, refuge and de¬ 
tention shall be designed to carry besides the dead load not less 
than the following percentage of the required live load: Roof and 
top floor 100 per cent., next lower floor 95 per cent., and for each 
succeeding lower floor 5 per cent, less, until a minimum of 50 per 


50 


THE BUILDING CODE 


cent, is reached and maintained for the remaining floors, if any. 
In all other buildings the full live load shall be taken. 

"Footings bearing on soil, other than hard pan, shall be de¬ 
signed to carry the dead load not less than the following per¬ 
centage of the live load used in designing the wall, pier or column 
to be supported; 80 per cent, for stores, storage and manufactur¬ 
ing buildings, offices, schools, places @f habitation, refuge and 
detention; 60 per cent for public buildings and places of public 
assembly and exhibition, other than schools. 

Footings on piles or caissons or other unyielding foundations 
shall be designed for the full live and dead load of the wall, pier 
or column to be supported. 

ECCENTRIC LOADS. 

SECTION 308. Eccentric loading of foundations, walls, piers 
or columns must be considered in calculating pressure on soil 
and stress in structural materials. 

WIND PRESSURE. 

SECTION 309. All buildings and appendages thereto shall 
be- designed to resist a horizontal wind pressure of 30 pounds per 
square foot of exposed surface. In no case shall the overturning 
moment due to wind pressure exceed 75 per cent, of the moment 
of stability due to dead load. 

LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE. 

SECTION 310. Lateral earth pressure shall be calculated in 
accordance with actual conditions and accepted modern engineer¬ 
ing practice. 

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION IN GENERAL. 

SECTION 311. All materials used in building shall be of good 
quality for the purpose for which they are intended to be used. 
Each material must be free from imperfections whereby its 
strength or durability may be impaired. For the purpose of this 
Ordinance the standards of quality, strength and durability herein 
defined shall be regarded as the minimum standards of their 
respective kinds of materials, except as otherwise specified. 

SECTION 312. The strength of materials and allowable unit 
stresses are based upon the standards of quality prescribed for 
the respective materials, and upon the assumption that all struct¬ 
ural details and workmanship shall be in conformity with good 
standard practice. 

SECTION 313... The Superintendent of Buildings may require 
structural materials of whatever nature to be subjected to test to 
determine their character and quality by methods prescribed by 
law, or in their absence by methods established by good engineer¬ 
ing practice. 

No new variety of structural material shall be used in any 
structure until it has been tested and found to satisfy the con- 


THE BUILDINCr CODE 


51 


ditions and tests by ordinances required, of materials used for like 
purposes. 

LOADS PERMITTED AT FOUNDATIONS. 

SECTION 314. Foundations shall not overload the soil upon 
which they rest. Loam or soil containing organic matter shall 
not be used to support the foundations of buildings more than 
one story high. The kind of soil upon which any of the following 
unit loads is permitted must be of sufficient thickness and extent 
to distribute that load over the requisite area of the underlying 
soil. 

SECTION 315. Where no tests of the sustaining power of the 
soil is made, different soils, excluding mud at the bottom of the 
footings, shall be deemed to sustain safely not more than the fol¬ 
lowing loads to the superficial foot, namely: 

Soft clay or other soil, 1 ton. 

Ordinary clay and sand, together in layers, 2 tons. 

Clay or fine sand, firm and dry, 2% tons. 

Very firm, coarse sand, stiff gravel or hard clay, 3% tons. 

Firm sand or gravel in deep excavations, 5 tons. 

Well cemented gravel hardpan in deep excavations, 8 tons. 

SECTION 316. When in doubt as to the safe sustaining pow¬ 
er ofthe earth upon which a building is to be erected the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings may order auger or other approved borings 
to be made, or direct to be tested the sustaining power of the 
soil by and at the expense of the owner of the proposed building. 

SECTION 317. Where a test is made of the sustaining power 
of the soil the Superintendent of Buildings shall be notified so that 
he may be present, either in person or by representative. The 
record of the test shall be filed in his office. 

PILE FOUNDATIONS. 

SECTION 318. Where pile foundations are used the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings may require auger borings to be made to 
determine the nature and position of the underlying soil strata. 

The heads of piles shall be protected against splitting while 
being driven, and shall be imbedded in concrete or covered with 
a grillage so proportioned that in transmitting the load from the 
structure to the piles the stresses in the materials shall not ex¬ 
ceed those prescribed by law. 

The piles shall be of sufficient number and so spaced as to 
equalize the loads and make a stable foundation for the proposed 
load. 

SECTION 319. Timber piles for the purpose of supporting 
a wall, pier or column shall be of good material, reasonably 
straight, at least 6 inches in diameter at the small end and 12 
inches at the butt; shall be spaced not less than 24 inches nor less 
than two diameters of the butt from center to center; and shall 
be driven to a reasonably good refusal. 

SECTION 320. The tops of all timber piles shall be cut off 
below the surface of permanent saturation. Timber capping, when 
used, shall also be. below the same surface. Concrete capping, 


Bridge Construction Marine Diving 

Building Foundations Pile Driving 

Wharves and Piers Harbor Work 

P. B. CHURCH & CO. 

FOUNDATION CONTRACTORS 

N. R. McKay, Engineer, Estimator 

1118 White Bldg. Main 524 

REPUBLIC TIRES 

for 

SERVICE and SATISFACTION 
Republic Rubber Co. 

of California. 

Seattle Branch - - - 700 E. Pike St. 

Northwestern Junk Co., Inc. 

Pays Highest Cash Price for 

Scrap Iron, Metals, Rubber, Rope, etc. 

We can supply you with anything in 

Second-Hand Machinery, Pipe, Rails, etc. 
1560 First Ave. So. SEATTLE, WASH. 

BUFFALO JUNK GO. 

1749 First Ave. So. 

Dealers in 

Machinery, Pipes, Sacks, Iron, Rails, 
and Plumbing Supplies 

Tel. Elliott 3863 SEATTLE 



52 









THE BUILDING CODE 


53 


when used shall extend below the tops of the piles for at least 6 
inches, and at least 6 inches in width outside of the piles and shall 
be at least 12 inches in total thickness. 

SECTION 321. The safe load which shall not be exceeded on 
a timber pile shall be determined by the following formula: 

2 wh 

F=-s-for steam hammer: 

P+0.1 
_ 2 wh 

F=-for drop hammer. 

P+1 

In which formula 

P=penetration in inches, under last blow. 

H=fall in feet 

W=rweight of hammer in pounds. 

E=safe load in pounds. 

The maximum load on a timber pile should not exceed 50,000 
pounds, nor 80 per cent, of the allowable compressive stress as a 
post computed upon the area of the middle section. 

A wood follower shall not be used in determining the safe 
load. 

SECTION 322. All concrete used for piles shall conform to the 
specifications for reinforced concrete, and be not leaner than 
a 1:2:4 mix. 

SECTION 323. Plain eoncrete piles shall be moulded in place 
by methods which are reasonable certain to secure good full sized 
piles. 

SECTION 324. Eeinforced concrete piles properly designed to 
resist the shock of handling and driving, if driven with a cushion 
to lessen the shock, or if put down by a water jet, may be moulded 
previous to driving. 

SECTION 325. ..Wherever concrete piles are used, there bear¬ 
ing power shall be determined by loading test piles. The allow¬ 
able working load shall in no case be more than one-half of the 
load supported without noticeable settling nor exceed four hun¬ 
dred pounds per square inch of concrete at the middle section plus 
six thousands pounds per square inch for any longitudinal steel re¬ 
inforcement. 

The tests shall be made upon at least two piles driven under 
substantially ordinary working conditions including the proximity 
of other driven piles. 

FOUNDATIONS IN GENERAL 

SECTION 326. In all cases where foundations are built in wet 
soil, it shall be unlawful to build the same unless trenches in 
which the work is being executed are kept free from water by bail¬ 
ing, pumping or otherwise, until after the completion of work 
upon the foundation and until all cement has properly set. In 
all cases where practicable a connection with the city sewer shall 
be established before beginning the work of laying foundations. 




54 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 327. Foundations for buildings more than one 
story high shall extend at least 2 feet 0 inches below the sur¬ 
face of the ground upon which they are built, and in the case of 
all buildings 100 feet 0 inches or more in height, foundations shall 
extend at least to the depth drained by sewers in the adjacent 
streets or alleys, unless such sewers are at a greater depth than 
10 feet 0 inches below the sidewalk grade. In that case such 
foundations need not extend to a greater depth than 10 feet 0 
inches provided sound hard soil is found at that depth. 

Every building erected without cellar or basement shall have 
all sod and all soil containing organic matter beneath the same 
removed before joists are laid and shall have in the external walls 
below the first floor level not less than four ventilators of suitable 
dimensions, and so placed as to insure cross currents of air, and 
no sill or floor joists shall be less than 6 inches above the ground. 

SECTION 328. Excavations in any building for the founda¬ 
tions of machinery or for a cistern, pit, tunnel, sewer, or other 
pipe line, running parallel with a foundation wall or the side of a 
supporting pier, shall not be cut below the bottom of the footings 
of such wall or pier when such excavations extend within 1 foot 0 
inches of the angle of repose or natural slope of the foundation 
soil underneath such footings, provided further that excavations 
for the foundations of machinery shall in no case be made within 
1 foot 0 inches of any wall, pier or footing. 

No wall, pier or foundation of any building shall be cut, 
pierced, mutilated or undermined in any-way that will endanger 
or seriously weaken the structure. 

SECTION 329. Any person excavating for the purpose of 
laying the foundation of any building, or for any other purpose 
whatever, shall protect and support all adjoining land, buildings, 
streets, alleys , and sidewalks from damage, by underpinning, crib¬ 
bing or shoring, or such other device as will prevent all settling, 
cracking or damage whatsoever. 

SECTION 330. Every building 40 feet 0 inches or more in 
height, hereafter erected, which is located adjacent to any street 
or alley containing any then existing water main, water tunnel, 
sewer, conduit, tunnel, subway or other underground construction, 
owned or controlled by the City, shall be so constructed that the 
foundations or superstructure thereof shall not be supported in 
whole or in part by any such underground construction. 

SECTION 331. Foundations, unless otherwise expressly pro¬ 
vided, shall be constructed of concrete, dimension stone or rubble 
stone, sewer or paving brick, iron or steel imbedded in concrete, or 
piles, or a combination of any of the same. All masonry founda¬ 
tions and all other masonry in contact with earth shall be laid in 
cement mortar. 

SECTION 332. Footings of stone shall have the upper and 
lower surfaces of each approximately parallel, and the stones shall 
be close fitted and bedded solid. Footings of brick shall be of 
hard-burned brick, and shall not be reduced more than 2% inches 
to each two courses. Footings of stone or concrete shall not be 
reduced more than 8 inches to the foot in height and all founda¬ 
tions shall rest upon solid ground or piling. 


THE BUILING CODE 


55 


^SECTION 333. Masonry foundation walls or piers shall be 
provided .lo^ frame dwellings mere than 30 ft. 0 in.^or two stories 
high; for all other fame buildings more than 20 feet 0 inches or 
one story high; and for one story frame buildings used as places 
of assembly, refuge or detention; provided, however, that the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings may require masonry foundation walls 
or piers for any frame building, when, in his judgment, the occu¬ 
pancy, location or construction of the building requires them. 

All masonry foundation walls or piers shall be carried above 
the surrounding ground. Masonry foundations walls for frame 
buildings not more than 30 feet 0 inches or two stories high shall 
be, if of brick or stone, not less than 8 inches thick, and if of 
unreinforced concrete, not less than 6 inches thick; provided, 
however, that an unreinforced concrete wall retaining or designed 
to retain more than 5 feet 0 inches of earth shall be not less than 
8 inches thick. 

Masonry foundation walls for frame buildings more than 
30 feet 0 inches or two stories high shall be, if of brick or stone, 
not less than 12 inches thick and if of unreinforced concrete, not 
less than 10 inches thick. 

Frame buildings veneered with masonry shall have masonry 
foundation walls upon which the veneer shall directly rest. 

Frame buildings not required to have masonry foundations 
shall be provided with wood foundation walls and footings of such 
design and strength as the Superintendent of Buildings deems ne¬ 
cessary. 

Buildings over tide or shore lands may rest on piles. 

SECTION 334. In all cases where there is an addition to the 
thickness of existing walls, a new foundation shall be built in 
such a manner as to carry jointly both the new and old walls. 

SECTION 336. All foundations shall be protected against the 
effect of frost, and cement mortar which has been effected by 
frost, shall not be used in building construction. 

STONE MASONRY. 

SECTION 336. The several classes of stone masonry con¬ 
struction shall conform to the definitions as follows: (See Section 
347.) 

Ordinary rubble shall be defined as masonry composed of un¬ 
squared stones laid without attempting any regularity of courses 
or bond. 

Coursed rubble shall be defined as masonry having approxi¬ 
mately level joints, with stones roughly shaped so as to fit approxi¬ 
mately, and joints in wall or pier leveled off at intervals not ex¬ 
ceeding every 3 feet 0 inches in height and well bonded. 

First-class masonry shall be defined as masonry built of stones 
in regular courses, the bearing surfaces and ends of which are 
roughly tooled off, and the stones laid with alternate headers and 
stretchers so as to secure perfect bond. 

♦(Footings are required for all foundation walls, the minimum 
width of footing to be twice the thickness of wall for Walls up to 
12" in thickness. 

Brick veneer on frame walls must be anchored every seventh 
course or less with galvanized crimped metal or wire ties spaced not 
over 24" centers. Spikes are not approved as ties.) 

IMPORTANT.—See Ordinance No. 32988, Page 184. 



56 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 337. The allowable compressive stress in pounds 
per square inch for the several classes of stone masonry shall not 
exceed the following: 


For Stone Masonry— Lbs. 

Coursed rubble with Portland cement mortar . 200 

Coursed rubble with lime mortar . 120 

Ordinary rubble with Portland cement mortar . 100 

Ordinary rubble with lime mortar . 60 

First-class granite masonry with Portland cement mortar. 800 

First-class lime stone masonry with Portland cement mortar 400 

Dimension sandstone in foundations . 140 

Dimension sandstone with beds dressed to uniform surface, 

having 1-inch joint laid in cement mortar . 200 

Dimension granite in foundations ... 200 

Dimension granite, with beds dressed to uniform surface, 

having 1-inch joint laid in cement mortar . 400 

Tenino sandstone, dressed uniform beds, laid in cement mor¬ 
tar, with ^4-inch joints ...,_ 235 

Chuckanut sandstone dressed, uniform beds, laid in cement 

mortar, with 14-inch joints ...__ 350 


For mass concrete: 20 per cent, of its compressive strength in 
28 days. 


BRICK MASONRY. 

SECTION 338. All brick shall be of a quality that will 
stand all ordinary or usual handling, hauling, dumping and de¬ 
livery on the scaffold or work, without suffering more than 5 
per cent, breakage. 

Soft bricks shall not be used in any part of a building 
where exposed to the weather, nor in external or internal piers 
or bearing walls. 

Good hard burned brick, stone or concrete shall be used for 
all exterior walls and all interior and exterior piers below the 
surface of the ground, and hard burned brick, sto'ne concrete or 
terra cotta for all exterior walls exposed to the weather except as 
hereinafter provided. 

SECTION 339. Lime shall be fresh burned quicklime which 
will thoroughly slake in 48 hours. 

Lime mortar shall be composed of one part lime and three 
parts coarse, sharp sand. 

Lime and cement mortar shall be composed of equal parts 
Portland cement and fresh slaked lime with as much coarse sand 
as is needed to form good mortar. 

Portland cement mortar shall be composed of one part 
Portland cement and approximately three parts sharp sand with 
an allowable 1-10 part lime added to temper the mortar No 
cement mortar shall be used or remixed after it has begun to 


SECTION 340. Terra cotta, 
be well burned and sufficiently 
out of wind. 


either plain or ornamental, shall 
stiffened with webs to keep it 


SECTION 341. The allowable 


compressive stress in pounds 













THE BUILDING CODE 


57 


per square inch for brick masonry shall not exceed the follow¬ 
ing: 

Lbs. 


No. 1. Paving brick with Portland cement mortar . 350 

No. 2. Pressed brick and sewer brick with Portland ce¬ 
ment mortar ....t.. 250 

No. 3. Hard common select brick with Portland cement 

mortar . 200 

No. 4. Hard common select brick with good lime and ce¬ 
ment mortar . 175 

No. 5. Common brick, all grades, with Portland cement 

mortar- . 175 

No. 6. Common brick, all grades, with Portland cement 

mortar . 125 

No. 7. Common brick, all grades, with good lime mortar. 100 


SECTION 342. Brick under Nos. 1 and 2 of the preceding 
section should not crush at less than 5,000 pounds pressure per 
square inch of gross area. 

Brick under Nos. 3 and 4 should not crush at less than 
2,300 pounds pressure per square inch of gross area. 

Brick under Nos. 5, 6 and 7 should not crush at less than 
1,800 pounds pressure per square inch of gross area. Sand lime 
brick of this crushing strength may be used where common brick 
is permitted. 

SECTION 343. Isolated piers of concrete, brick or other 
masonry shall not be higher than six times their smallest di¬ 
mensions unless the above unit stresses are reduced according to 
the following formula: 

H 

P=C(1.25-) 

20D 

In which formula: 

P is the reduced allowed unit stress. 

C is the unit stress in the above table. 

H is the height of the pier in feet. 

D is the least dimension of the pier in feet. 

No pier shall exceed in height twelve times the least di¬ 
mension. Weight of pier shall be added to other loads in com¬ 
puting load coming on the pier. 

No granite or marble column shall carry a wall exceeding 
one story in height. 

SECTION 344. The bond of all brickwork shall be formed 
by laying one course of headers for every six courses of 
stretchers; provided, that in the case of pressed brick facing, 
two headers and a stretcher may be laid alternately in every 
sixth course or an equivalent number of full headers may be 
used in any other arrangement approved by the Superintendent 
of Buildings, and provided further, that pressed brick facing, 
when not counted as part of the bearing wall, may be bonded or 
anchored in a manner approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings. 

SECTION 345. All brick laid up in cement, or lime and 
cement mortar, shall be thoroughly drenched immediately be- 










58 


THE BUILDING CODE 


fore being laid. Brick shall be wet in dry weather if laid in 
lime mortar. Both horizontal and vertical joints shall be com¬ 
pletely filled with mortar in all kinds of brick masonry. 

No brick shall be laid in freezing weather. 

SECTION 346. During the construction of a building no 
bearing or curtain wall shall be carried to a greater height than 
one scaffold above any other connected wall of the same building, 
except by the approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. All 
walls of buildings shall be securely braced during construction. 

SECTION 347. Ashlar facing of a masonry wall shall not 
be considered as part of wall for the purpose of carrying weight, 
unless it has a minimum bond as follows: Every second course 
must be a bond course, this bond course to extend into the back¬ 
ing a distance equal to the least thickness of ashlar. In ad¬ 
dition to such bond, each stone in all courses shall be tied to 
backing by two substantial galvanized iron anchors. No ashlar 
shall be less than 4 inches thick, nor shall the height of any 
stone exceed five times its thickness. 

SECTION 348. Wall or pier facing other than stone ashlar 
shall not be regarded as part of the wall or pier for the purpose 
of carrying weight unless «aid facing is 4 inches or more in 
thickness and solidly bonded with the backing by at least 
one continuous course in every 20 inches of the height, or in 
manner approved as equivalent by the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings. 

SECTION 349. Exterior brick walls faced with stone shall 
have the backing of hard brick work laid in cement mortar; 
but in no case shall the thickness of the stone and backing 
together be less than the thickness required for a brick wall of 
the same height. 

SECTION 350. The backing of any iron front that is not 
wholly self-sustaining shall be treated as an independent wall. 
If the iron is self-sustaining then the party and division walls 
shall extend to meet the outer plate of the iron and all vacan¬ 
cies shall be filled with grout to insure complete separation of 
adjoining rooms. 

SECTION 351. A wall designed to carry in addition to its 
own weight some portion of the roof and floors of a building 
shall be known as a bearing wall. A wall designed to carry 
its own weight only shall be known as a non-bearing wall. 

FILLER WALLS are non-bearing walls built in between 
columns of masonry piers, and supported on beams at each 
floor. 

CURTAIN WALLS are non-bearing walls built between 
columns or masonry piers and extending through two or more 
stories without intermediate support. 

SECTION 352. The thickness of a brick wall for the pur¬ 
pose of this Ordinance shall be determined with due regard to 
the following considerations: 


THE BUILDING CODE 


59 


The horizontal length between intersecting walls or other 
adequate permanent vertical lines of lateral bracing. 

The character and distance apart of the floor or other hori¬ 
zontal lines of lateral bracing. 

The weakening effect of chases and openings. 

The liability to eccentric loading, shock or vibration. 

The weight of the wall and other loads or forces to be 
sustained by it, including wind and earth pressure. 

The strength of the masonry employed and its allowable 
unit stresses. 


SECTION 353. Brick partitions resting on masonry founda¬ 
tions or other incombustible support may be permitted in private 
dwellings to be built of any thickness not less than 4 inches, 
that meets the requirements of strength and stability. 

SECTION 354. Brick filler walls in fireproof buildings not 
over 12 stories high shall be not less than 8 inches thick; and 
in buildings over 12 stories high such walls shall not be less 
than 8 inches in the top story and 12 inches in the remaining 
stories; provided, that attic and pent house walls, division walls, 
elevator, stairway and temporary enclosure walls may be per¬ 
mitted not less than 8 inches thick when approved by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings,—and further provided, that no wall 
fronting upon any street or alley shall be less than 12 inches 
thick in any building. 

SECTION 355. Brick walls not over 30 feet long if secure¬ 
ly anchored or bonded at both ends to intersecting walls or 
other sufficient vertical lines of fireproof lateral bracing shall 
be not less than 8 inches thick in the upper two stories, and 
thicker below as may be necessary to meet the requirements of 
strength and stability. Such walls if used as bearing walls 
shall be not less than 12 inches thick except as expressly per¬ 
mitted by law. 


SECTION 356. Non-bearing brick walls in fireproof build¬ 
ings shall be not less than the thickness given in Table 1. 


TABLE I. 


8th. 8 

7th. 8 

6th.. 12 

5th..:.,. 12 

4th.:.. 12 

3rd.:.- 16 

2nd.... 16 

1st. 20 

Basement . 20 

Stories . 8 


8 

8 8 


12 

8 

8 





12 

12 

8 

8 




12 

12 

12 

8 

8 



16 

12 

12 

12 

8 

8 


16 

16 

16 

12 

12 

8 

8 

16 

16 

16 

16 

12 

12 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 


SECTION 357. Bearing walls of brick in fireproof build¬ 
ings carrying floors of ordinary spans for live loads not exceed- 












60 


THE BUILDING CODE 


ing 100 pounds per square foot shall be not less than the thick¬ 
ness given in Table II. 

TABLE II. 

8th .. 12 

7th .. 12 12 

6th . 12 12 12 

5th .;. 16 12 12 12 

4th . 16 16 12 12 12 

3rd . 16 16 16 12 12 12 

2nd .... 16 16 16 16 12 12 12 

1st . 20 20 16 16 16 12 12 12 

Basement . 20 20 20 20 16 16 12 12 

Stories/ . 8 7 65 43 2 1 

SECTION 358. Non-bearing brick walls over 30 feet long, 
but not over 60 feet long in non-fireproof buildings, if secure¬ 
ly anchored or bonded at both ends to intersecting walls or 
other sufficient vertical lines of fireproof lateral bracing, shall be 
in the several stories not less than the thickness given in Table III. 

TABLE III. 

6th ... 8 

5th .................. 12 8* 

4th . 12 12 8 

3rd .. 12 12 12 8 

2nd . 16 12 12 8 8 

1st . 16 16 12 12 8 8 

Basement . 20 16 16 12 12 8 

Stories . 6 j5 4 3 2 1 


See APPENDIX for diagram of wall thickness. 

SECTION 359. Non-bearing brick walls over 60 feet long 
in non-fireproof buildings shall be not less than the thickness 
given in Table IV. 

TABLE IV 

6th ...*.* 8 

* 5th .. 12 8 

4th ....„. 12 12 8 

3rd ... 16 12 12 8 

2nd ...,.. 16 16 12 12 8 

1st ...-. 20 16 16 12 12 8 

Basement .. 20 20 16 16 12 . 12 

Stogie's .1. 6 5 4 3 2 1 

SECTION 360. Bearing walls of brick over 30 feet long and 
not over 60 feet long in non-fireproof buildings shall be not less 
than the thickness given in Table V. 

TABLE V. 

6th .. 12 

5th .:. 12 12 

4th . 16 12 12 

3rd .•. 16 12 12 12 

2nd . 16 16 12 12 12 

1st . 20 16 16 12 12 12 

Basement .. 20 20 16 16 12 12 

Storied . 6 5 4 3 2 1 





































THE BUILDING CODE 61 


SECTION 361. Bearing walls of brick over 
non-fireproof buildings shall be not less than the 
in 


TABLE VI. 


6 th . 

. 12 





5th . 

.. 16 

12 




4th .... 

. 16 

16 

12 



3rd . 

. 16 

16 

12 

12 


2 nd . 

.. 20 

16 

16 

12 

12 

1 st . 

.. 20 

20 

16 

16 

12 

Basement . 

. 24 

20 

20 

16 

16 

Stories 

.. 6 

5 

4 

3 

2 


60 feet long in 
thickness given 


12 

12 

1 


SECTION 362. Brick walls for private dwellings not over 
three stories high shall be not less than the thickness given in 
Table VII. 

TABLE VII. 

3rd .. 8 

2nd ..;... 8 8 

1st . 12 8 8 

Basement . 12 12 8 

Stories . 3 2 1 


SECTION 363. Tables I., II., III., IV., V., VI. and VII., 
mentioned in the foregoing sections, give the minimum required 
thickness of brick walls in inches as follows: (Tables have, for 
convenience, been placed after the several paragraphs to which 
they relate.) 


SECTION 364. Walls that are weakened by chases or by 
openings or other structural defects shall be increased in thick¬ 
ness or otherwise made sufficiently strong and stable. 

Recesses and openings may be made in walls, provided the 
thickness of the backs of such recesses be not less than 8 inches. 
No continuous vertical recess of more than 4 inches in depth 
shall be made in any 12-inch wall; and no recess of any kind shall 
be made in any 8-inch wall; and all such openings and recesses 
shall be filled with cement at each floor. 


SECTION 365. Walls that are liable to shock or vibration, 
lateral pressure or other deleterious or unusual conditions shall 
be made thick enough and so constructed as to meet the re¬ 
quirements of strength and stability under the special condi¬ 
tions imposed, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of 
Buildings. 

SECTION 366. Brick walls less than 12 inches thick if ex¬ 
posed to the weather must be laid up in cement or lime and 
cement mortar. Cornices, coping walls and walls subject to ten¬ 
sile stress must be laid up in cement mortar. 

SECTION 367. Brick walls more than 50 feet high in non- 
fireproof buildings shall be laid up in cement or lime and cement 
mortar. 

SECTION 368. Where the required wall thickness is aug¬ 
mented by masonry buttresses, as hereinafter defined, forming 
projections on either or both sides of a wall, then the required 















62 


THE BUILDING CODE 


thickness between buttresses may be reduced by one-half the 
thickness added at the buttresses, provided that no part of such 
wall shall be less than 8 inches thick. 

The term buttresses shall be understood to include all piers 
and pilasters. Buttresses shall be at least one-tenth as wide as 
the spacing between them, and their distance apart shall not 
exceed 18 times the allowable thickness of the wall between 
them. 

SECTION 369. If the loads carried by trusses, beams and 
girders are supported by iron, steel or reinforced concrete eol- 
ums built into the walls, the walls between such columns shall be 
built as required between buttresses, and shall be substantially 
anchored to the columns by metal anchors in every 5 feet of the 
height. 

SECTION 370. The story height of buildings shall be the 
distance between finished floor levels or between top floor and 
roof levels or structural ceiling if there be any and shall not 
exceed 18 times the thickness of the enclosing walls. 

Where the story height is greater than 30 feet, the upper 
15 feet of walls shall not be less than 16 inches thick, and the 
thickness shall be increased 4 inches at each interval of 15 feet 
of the height. 

*SECTION 371. The walls of buildings to be used for 


*This is a re-enactment of Sec. 71 of Ordinance 29262, ap¬ 
proved July 3, 1912, and is qualified by a resolution of the Board 
of Appeal of Dec. 4, 1912, reading as follows: “That the Denison 
Wall Block be permitted to be used in building construction in¬ 
volving live floor loads of not more than 125 pounds per square 
foot, subject to the same requirements as are prescribed by or¬ 
dinance for brick walls, and to such other provisions as the 
Superintendent of Buildings may require.” The department has 
supplemented the above with the following regulations: 

(1) Quality of Tile: 

Tile shall be made of shale, fire or other clay that will burn 
to a good dense body without undue warping or checking, and 
must be burned to a degree of hardness which will insure an 
absorption of moisture of not more than 12 per cent by weight. 

(2) Webs: 

Vertical webs must be spaced not more than 4 inches apart 
center to center, and must have a thickness of at least 20 per 
cent of their height. 

(3) Bedding: 

Tile must be so constructed as to preclude mortar beds of 
more than 4 y 2 in. in width (the same as brickwork); and must 
be laid with broken joints both vertically and horizontally and 
must be thoroughly bedded and solidly bonded. 

(4) Position in Wall: 

Tile must be so laid in walls that all vertical webs are in 
vertical alignment. 


(5) Loads: 

Tile walls must not be loaded to exceed a unit stress per 
square inch of net vertical web section of 200 pounds 


(6) Joist Bearings: 

Where joists or other beams are seated on tile walls they 
must have a bearing extending over at least 2 vertical ’webs- 
or the hollow portions of those tiles upon which the joists rest’ 
must be solidly filled with concrete. ' 


(7) Ordinance Requirements: 

As to thickness of walls, corbels and offsets for joists and 
beams; anchorage to floors; bond for veneering; recesses chases 
etc,; and all other general requirements of the building ordi- 



THE BUILDING CODE 


63 


places of habitation and not more than two stories in height 
and other buildings not over one story, if approved by the 
Superintendent of Buildings, may be of hollow clay tile or 
moulded concrete blocks not thinner than the thickness herein 
required for brick walls. 

Filler walls in fireproof buildings not over 12 stories high 
may be of hollow clay tile of the same thickness as herein re¬ 
quired for brick walls. 

SECTION 372. The ratio of thickness of other masonry 
walls to brick walls shall be as follows: 


Uncoursed rubble .... 1.4 

Coursed rubble .......;. 1.2 

Stone ashlar backed by brick or concrete . 1.0 

Concrete 1-3-5 ........ 1.0 

Beinforced concrete ........ .75 


Provided that basement story walls of 1-3-5 concrete are not 
required to be thicker than the first story walls supported by 
them. 

SECTION 373. Hollow walls shall be tied together with 
metal anchors placed not more than 3feet apart horizontally and 
20 inches apart vertically. If used as bearing walls the thick¬ 
ness shall be reckoned by the solid parts. 

SECTION 374. All exterior and division masonry walls, in¬ 
cluding those facing upon courts and light shafts, shall be ex¬ 
tended above the roof as fire wall parapets at least 3 feet, ex¬ 
cept as hereafter provided. 

Buildings with roofs constructed as required in this or¬ 
dinance for fireproof buildings need not be provided with 
fire-wall parapets. On street and alley lines the fire-wall para¬ 
pets need not extend more than 18 inches above the roof, or 
may be omitted when the top of the roof boards and roof joists 
are protected from fire for a distance of at lease 5 feet from 
such street or alley lines by a coating of fireproof material at 
least 2 inches thick. 

Firewall parapets shall not be less than 12 inches thick if 
built of brick, or of proportionate thickness if built of other 
masonry, except that where 8-inch walls are permitted in the 
top story of buildings and in buildings not over three stories 
high, the fire-wall parapets may be not less than 8 inches thick. 

All fire-wall parapets shall be covered with weather-proof 
coping of metal, concrete or granite, or tiling set in cement 
mortar. 

SECTION 375. All posts, columns, girders, floor joists and 
structural parts resting on masonry and transmitting thereto 

nances for brick masonry; walls constructed of hollow burned 
clay tile blocks shall conform. 

On May 24, 1917, the Board of Appeals ruled as follows: “That 
any shale, fire or other clay tile block fulfilling' all other require¬ 
ments of the building Ordinance, No. 31578, Section No. 371, and the 
note appended thereto, with the exception only that the mortar 
beds need not be limited to 4%" in width, may be used in building 
construction in the City of Seattle”. 








64 


THE BUILDING CODE 


a greater load per square inch than is allowed by law shall be 
carried on stone, cast or wrought iron or steel bearing plates 
of sufficient size and thickness to distribute the load. 

All posts or columns must be brought to a true bearing at 
right angles with their axes and set plumb without wedging. 

SECTION 376. No masonry wall shall rest upon or be 
supported by any wooden support, unless a masonry arch is 
turned above such support of sufficient strength to carry the 
wall; provided, that in one-story masonry buildings cornices and 
fire-walls may be carried on wooden lintels covered on both 
faces and underside with galvanized iron, or furring and metal 
lath with cement plaster. 

SECTION 377. Exterior walls shall be securely anchored to 
all structural floors and roofs by approved metal anchors. 
Floors and roof shall be so designed and constructed as to form 
continuous and sufficient anchorage across from wall to wall. 
Wood framing to which walls are anchored must be either con¬ 
tinuous from wall to wall or must be effectively tied together by 
suitable metal ties. 

The ends of timbers or joists bearing on masonry must be 
self-releasing in the event that the interior supports are re¬ 
moved by fire or otherwise, and must have clearance to prevent 
dry rot. 

When it is deemed necessary or desirable to corbel brick 
walls to afford bearing for joists or other framing, such corbels 
shall not exceed one-fourth the wall thickness in total projec¬ 
tion on either side of wall, nor %-inch projection for each cor¬ 
bel course. 

In the case of party or division walls designed to support 
joists or other framing from both sides* the ends of such joists 
or other framing shall not approach nearer than 2 inches from 
the center of such walls. In all cases the ends of joists or 
other framing resting on brickwork shall be protected by at 
least 4 inches of brick or other masonry. 


STRUCTURAL TIMBER. 

SECTION 378. Timber used for building purposes shall be 
sound, well manufactured, close grained, free from wind shakes 
or from dead, loose, decayed knots and other defects that will 
materially impair its strength and durability. 

Wood used for studs, joists, posts, beams or trusses and other 
bearing parts may. be of .rough common stock; provided if a 
truss be of such size that it requires iron rods and bolts the 
principal members shall be of select common stock. No large 
knots, shall be allowed within the lower or upper quarter of any 
floor joist or girder. J 


See APPENDIX for table of safe load for fir beams. 

SECTION 379. The maximum allowable stresses in pounds 
per square inch on actual sections of timber shall be as follows: 




Douglas Fir 

Spruce . 

Western Hen 

The safe 

Superintendent of Buildings in accordance with tests made by 
the United States, or any State University, or the City of Seattle. 

SECTION 380. The unit stress on timber posts shall 
comply with the formula: 

L 

S = C(1-) 

70D 

In which formula: 

S equals allowable stress in pounds per square inch of cross 
section. 

C equals compressive strength of timber with the grain as 
given in table. 

L. equals length in inches. 

D equals least diameter in inches. 

The maximum unsupported length of a timber post shall 
not exceed twenty-four diameters. 

Timber columns shall not be ‘ used in buildings of greater 
height than twice the width of the building nor in buildings over 
80 feet in height. 

SECTION 381. All buildings two stories or more in height 
and having wood posts and girders, shall have on the top of each 
post a cast or wrought iron or steel cap so constructed as to 
form a base for the next post above and a bearing for the 
girder, and of such size and thickness that the load will not ex¬ 
ceed the allowable pressure per square inch on the bearing sur¬ 
face of the girder. 

All girders built up of more than one piece shall be bolted 
together by %-inch bolts placed not more than four times the 
depth of the girders apart, and no space shall be left between 
the members unless such space is filled solid the full width of the 
opening, and not less than 2 inches thick from the under side, 
to prevent fire burning between the members. 

SECTION 382. All floor joists supporting header or trimmer 
beams, shall be increased in size sufficiently to carry the extra 
load transmitted to them. 

All header or trimmer beams more than 4 feet in length in 
buildings designed to carry a live load of more than 50 
pounds to the square foot, when not resting on a wall or post, 
shall be hung in steel or wrought iron hangers of suitable 
strength. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


65 


0) 

-2 & 
ft -M 

I* a 

§ a g £ 

.1,600 

.1,000 

....1,400 


P £ 
w £ 

gU 

s~, 

o£ 

1~600 

800 

1,400 




u, re 
P.£ 

S 2- 

400 

300 

350 


rt-8 
« cS 

200 

130 

180 


& 

£ 

•rri 

•4-J r* 

b A 

ci —i 
<D eg 

150 

100 

130 


loads of other timber shall be determined by the 





66 


THE BUILDING CODE 


All tail beams more than 8 feet in length or required to 
carry a load of 1,600 pounds or more, shall be hung as required 
for headers or trimmers. 

TIMBER DIMENSIONS. 

SECTION 383. Wherever fractional thickness or size of lum¬ 
ber is specified, it is the finished size or thickness required for 
the given purpose. Wherever thickness of lumber or size of 
timber is given in whole numbers, standard commercial sizes are 
meant—and if such lumber is required or permitted to be dress¬ 
ed or sized, the standard rules of local lumber manufacturers are 
to apply. Allowable unit stresses are to be based on actual size 
of structural timbers as used. 


PART IV. CONCRETE AND STEEL 

CEMENT. 

SECTION 401. All cement used under the provisions of this 
part of the Building Code shall be Portland cement. 

SECTION 402. All cements shall be tested as hereinafter 
prescribed. The making of all bests shall be in aceord with the 
methods of testing defined by the American Society of Civil En¬ 
gineers and published January 21, 1003, and as revised from time 
to time, except that in the case of routine tests, approximate 
methods may be substituted for the specified ones for deter¬ 
mining normal consistency and time of setting, provided the 
results ofthese approximate methods are frequently checked and 
are found to accord with those of the American Society of Civil 
Engineers referred to above. 

SECTION 403. The Board of Public Works or the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings may formulate regulations not inconsis¬ 
tent with the provisions ofthis ordinance to govern the inspec¬ 
tion, sampling and testing of cement to be used within the City 
of Seattle, having due regard to the nature of the work for 
which the cement is to be used, the uniform or variable char¬ 
acter of established brands of cement, the use of cement from 
newly established plants, and from time to time alter such 
regulations. 

SECTION 404. All cement tests herein prescribed shall be 
made by an expert employed by the person having charge of the 
work, or by an expert employed by the City, and said expert 
shall file with the Superintendent of Buildings a verified certi¬ 
ficate of the result of tests made by him, or the Superintendent 
of Buildings may require that all or any portion of the re¬ 
quired tests be made by an expert employed by the Citv of 
Seattle. J 

SECTION 405. Specifications for dement to be used in re¬ 
inforced concrete or other important construction may outline 
a scheme of inspection and tests for approval by the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings, but no outline or scheme shall be ap¬ 
proved that is not in accordance with the standard specifications 


THE BUILDING CODE 


67 


and tests herein provided or that is in violation of any regula¬ 
tions of the Board of Public Works then, in force. 

SECTION 406. The result ofall tests shall meet the fol¬ 
lowing specifications for cement approximating the specifications 
drawn by the American Society for Testing Materials and adopt¬ 
ed August 16, 1909. 

SECTION 407. The specific gravity shall not be less than 
3.10. Should the tests of cement as received fall below this 
requirement a second test may be made upon a sample ignited at 
low red heat. The loss in weight of the ignited cement shall 
not exceed 4 per cent. 

SECTION 408. For fineness, the* cement shall leave by 
weight a residue of not more than 8 per cent, on the No. 100 
sieve, and not more than 25 per cent, on the No. 200 sieve. 

SECTION 409. For time of setting, the cement shall de¬ 
velop initial set in not less than 30 minutes and shall develop 
hard set in not less than one, nor more than ten -hours.—tem¬ 
perature of 70 degrees F. 

SECTION 410. For tensile strength, the minimum require¬ 
ments for briquettes one square inch in cross section shall be 
as follows and shall show no retrogression in strength within 


•the period specified: 

(Kept at a temperature of 70 degrees F.) 

24 hours in moist air ........ 175 lbs. 

7 days (1 day in moist air, 6 days in water) ... 500 lbs. 

28 days (1 day in moist air, 27 days in water) ... 600 lbs. 

One part cement, three parts standard Ottawa sand. 

(Kept at a temperature of 70 degrees F.) 

7 days (1 day in moist air, 6 days in water) . 200 lbs. 

28 days (1 day in moist air, 27 days in water) .275 lbs. 


SECTION 411. For constancy of volume, pats of neat ce¬ 
ment about three inches in diameter, one-half inch thick at the 
center and tapering to a thin edge, shall be kept in moist air 
for a period of twenty-four hours. These pats shall then be ex¬ 
posed in an atmosphere of steam above boiling water, in a loose¬ 
ly closed vessel, for five hours, and shall remain firm and hard, 
and show no sign of distortion, checking, cracking or disin¬ 
tegrating. 

SECTION 412. The sulphuric acid and magnesia analysis 
shall show the cement to contain no *more than 1.75 per cent, of 
anhydrous sulphuric acid (S03), nor more than 4 per cent, of 
magnesia (MgO). 

SECTION 413. All cement shall be delivered upon the work 
in the original unbroken packages, stamped with the brand and 
maker’s name and the place of manufacture, and no cement 
shall be used from a package which, upon being opened, shows 
evidence of having set. All cement, after having been tested 
and approved, shall be stored in such manner as to be protected 
from the weather and not to come in contact with the ground 
or any moist surface. 







68 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SAND. 

SECTION 414. All sand shall be reasonably coarse and 
sharp and shall not contain more than 2*4 per cent, by weight 
of clay naturally adhering thereto and shall be free from loam or 
other foreign material. At least 95 per cent, shall pass a %- 
inch screen and not more than 33 per cent shall pass a sieve 
having' thirty meshes per lineal inch. The graduation from 
coarse to fine shall be reasonably uniform. 

GRAVEL 

SECTION 415. All gravel shall be composed of hard durable 
rock and shall contain not more than 1% per cent, by weight 
of clay naturally adhering thereto and shall be free from loam 
or other foreign material. Not more than 5 per cent, shall 
pass a inch screen, and the size of the particles shall vary 
uniformly from fine to coarse. 

For mass concrete the maximum size must be capable of 
passing in any position through a 2-inch screen. 

For reinforced concrete the maximum size must be capable 
of passing, through a %-inch screen. 

SECTION 416. In footings and foundation walls, heavy 
retraining walls and other massive work which will admit with¬ 
out detriment the use of aggregate of larger dimensions than 
herein specified, the same may be used under proper restrictions, 
provided application shall have been made to the Superintendent 
of Buildings and his approval obtained prior to such use but 
not otherwise. 

BROKEN STONE AND OTHER AGGREGATES. 

SECTION 417. Broken stone, when used in concrete work, 
must conform in regard to quality, size and cleanliness to the 
specifications for gravel. 

SECTION 418. Crushed hard burned brick and clean crush¬ 
ed hard concrete from old structures, tile and vitrified clinker 
or slag may be used in lieu of gravel or broken stone under 
conditions approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. Cin¬ 
der concrete shall not be used in reinforced concrete floor con¬ 
struction except- for fill, and for short span slabs or arches be¬ 
tween steel beams. 

MASS CONCRETE 

SECTION 419. Concrete shall be composed of Portland ce¬ 
ment, clean fresh water and aggregate herein prescribed and 
shall have not less than one part of cement to the total number 
of prescribed parts of aggregates. The fine and coarse aggre¬ 
gates shall be mixed in the ratios hereinafter prescribed, or in 
ratios of greater density as shown by tests satisfactory to the 
Superintendent of Buildings. Concrete not less than 28 days old 
shall have the ultimate compressive strength hereinafter re¬ 
quired for the several grades. 

SECTION 420. Concrete shall, except as hereinafter pro¬ 
vided, be mixed in a. batch mixer of a type approved by the 


THE BUILDING CODE 


69 


Superintendent of Buildings, and equipped for the accurate meas¬ 
uring of materials. 

SECTION 421. When the quantity of concrete to be used 
on any building is less than 100 cubic yards or when the con¬ 
ditions of the work make hand mixing preferable, concrete may 
be mixed by hand. 

In any work where hand mixing is permitted, the method 
of mixing must comply with detailed specifications therefor sub¬ 
mitted to and approved by the Superintendent of Buildings, 
and the resulting mixture shall conform to all of the require¬ 
ments of this Ordinance. 

SECTION 422. The separate ingredients of concrete shall 
be accurately measured and shall be thoroughly mixed until 
the cement is uniformly distributed and the mass is uniform in 
color and of such consistency as will flow into the forms, after 
being conveyed from the mixer, without separation of the 
coarse aggregate from the mortar. 

SECTION 423. Retempering of concrete after its intitial set 
shall be unlawful. Concrete that has set shall not be used as 
aggregate or otherwise remixed as an ingredient of concrete ex¬ 
cept as hereinbefore provided. 

SECTION 424. The concrete shall be deposited uniformly in 
layers but shall not be deposited faster than it can be properly 
handled and spread into place. It shall be pnlawful to deposit 
the material from a height into place, without properly remixing 
and spreading the same. 

SECTION 425. The concrete must be deposited and thor¬ 
oughly compacted in place before its initial set. In filling in 
concrete around reinforcing steel, the concrete must be worked 
continuously with suitable tools as it is put in place. In placing 
the concrete, the work shall be so laid out that partly set con¬ 
crete will not be subjected to shocks from wheeling or handling 
material over it. 

SECTION 426. Before placing new concrete in contact with 
any concrete already set, the contact surfaces of the old con¬ 
crete must be' made rough, cleaned of all laitance and loose 
material, and after drenching with clean water, must be slushed 
with neat cement grout immediately before placing the fresh 
concrete. The laitance must be removed before the concrete has 
set hard. 

SECTION 427. All concrete walls shall be constructed as 
monoliths where practicable, that is, any section of a wall shall 
be deposited in one continuous operation. Where monolithic 
construction is impracticable, a recess 6 inches deep and of a 
width equal to one-third of the wall thickness shall be left at the 
end of each separate operation for the entire length of such 
work in all walls two feet or more in thickness. In thinner 
walls if not finished at one operation a bond satisfactory to the 
Superintendent of Buildings must be provided. 

SECTION 428. Columns must be filled continuously for the 
entire length from the bottom of the same to lowest face of con- 


REINFORCING 

STEEL 

Corrugated Bars — Round and Square 
Plain Bars — Round and Square 

Square Twisted Bars 

STRUCTURAL SHAPES 

Reinforcing Steel 
Fabricated 


Merchant Bars— iron and steel 
Light Rails and Shapes 


Pacific Coast 
Steel Company 

Works Sales Dept. 

Youpgstown, Seattle 916 Alaska Bldg. 

South San Francisco Seattle 

Main 380 


70 










THE BUILDING CODE 71 


necting girder, beam, or slab. The concrete must be continuous¬ 
ly puddled both inside of the hooping or ties, and outside next 
to the forms. 

SECTION 429. When concreting is carried on in freezing 
weather, the material must be heated, and such provisions made 
that the concrete can be put in place without freezing. The use 
of frozen, lumpy sand, or stone depending on hot water used in 
mixing to thaw it out will be unlawful. All reinforced concrete 
shall be kept at a temperature above freezing for at least 48 
hours after being put in place. All forms under concrete placed 
in freezing weather shall remain until all evidence of frost are 
absent from the concrete and the natural hardening of the 
concrete has proceeded to the point of safety. 

SECTION 430. ..Concrete laid in warm weather shall be 
drenched with water twice daily, Sunday included, during the 
first week after being put in place. 

SECTION 431. When it is necessary to deposit concrete un¬ 
der water, special care must be exercised to prevent the cement 
from being floated away, and to prevent the formation of lait- 
ance. The special methods to be adopted shall be approved by 
the Superintendent of Buildings. 


REINFORCED CONCRETE 

SECTION 432. Reinforced concrete is concrete with metal 
so imbedded in it that the two materials co-operate to resist 
stress. Reinforced concrete construction shall conform to the 
regulations of this Code. 

The concrete shall comply with the foregoing provisions as 
to materials and workmanship. 

The steel shall be of a quality hereinafter prescribed. 

SECTION 434. These regulations are based upon tests of 
the ordinary monolithic types of reinforced concrete consisting 
of slabs, beams, girders ahd columns. But it is not intended to 
exclude other types of reinforced concrete construction which 
meet the requirements of safety contained in this Code sub¬ 
ject to the approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 435. Tests made by the authority or under the 
supervision of the Superintendent of Buildings to determine the 
efficiency of any proposed system or type of reinforced con¬ 
crete construction shall be recorded in the permanent records 
of his office. 

THEORETICAL ASSUMPTION. 

SECTION 436. Span lengths used in figuring moments shall 
be: For continuous members the distance between centers of 

supports. 

For members simply supported or having fixed ends, the 
clear span plus the necessary bearing. Brackets shall not be 
considered as reducing the clear , span in the sense here intended 
unless they are specially designed for the purpose. 



Examinations 

Reinforced Concrete, 

Supervision 

Structural Steel, and 

Estimates 

Timber Designs 

A. 

M. YOUNG 

Structural Engineer 

112 s 

Henry Building 

• 

SEATTLE 

Foundations 

Structures 

Ship Yards 

Elliott 2194 


“OLYMPIC” 
Portland Cement 

Manufactured by the Well Known Wet Process System 


BALFOUR, GUTHRIE C& CO. 

General Sales Agents 

Stuart Building Seattle 

Offices also at 

San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Tacoma, and Vancouver, B. C. 
DEALERS IN'ALL OTHER CLASSES OF 

BUILDING MATERIAL 


72 















THE BUILDING CODE 


73 


SECTION 437. Moments of external forces in beams, 
girders and slabs shall be calculated according to the actual 
conditions and number of spans and the necessary resistance 
provided. 

When all spans are equal in continuous members the mom¬ 
ent assumed at the middle of the span shall never be less than 
WL/12 for intermediate spans and WL/10 for end spans, where 
W is the load in pounds per lineal foot and L is the length of 
span in feet, the moment being in foot pounds. 

In monolithic construction sufficient steel must be provided 
to prevent fracture of the concrete over the supports due to 
the negative moment, whether the steel is considered necessary 
to the strength of the structure or not. 

SECTION 438. Retangular slabs having a breadth not less 
than. two-thirds of the length and supported on entire perimeter 
may be reinforced in both directions upon the assumption that 
the portion of total load carried by the transverse reinforce¬ 
ment T, and the portion carried by the longitudinal reinforce¬ 
ment L, are as given in the following table: 

Ratios of length to breadth—1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5. 

Portion of Load T—.50 .59 .67 .75 .80 .83. 

Portion of Load L—.50 .51 .33 .25 .20 .17. 

Using the values thus obtained, each set of reinforcement is 
to be calculated as in slabs supported on two sides only, but the 
total amount of reinforcement thus determined may be reduced 
25 per cent, by gradually increasing the spacing thereof from 
the third point to the edge of slab. The transverse reinforce¬ 
ment must be placed beneath the logitudinal reinforcement. 


SECTION 439. Internal stresses are to be calculated by as¬ 
suming that: 

A plane section before bending remains plane after bending, 
so that the distribution of compressive stress due to flexure is 
rectilinear; 

The tensile stress in concrete is to be neglected in calculat¬ 
ing the moment of resistance of beams and other members sub¬ 
ject to bending; 

Steel and concrete in compression are stressed in proportion 
to their moduli of elasticity. 

SECTION 440. Shrinkage and thermal stresses shall be 

provided by introduction of steel. 

SECTION 441. Reinforced concrete calculations shall be 
based on the ultimate compressive strength of concrete “TJ” in 
pounds per square inch and the ratio 1 1 R ,} of the elastic mod¬ 
ulus of steel to that of the different grades of concrete as given 
in the following table: (The last two grades are to be used m 
plain mass concrete only.) 



74 


THE BUILDING CODE 


Broken Stone 


Cement 

Sand 

or Gravel 

U 

R 

1 

1 

2 

2900 

10 

1 

1 % 

3 

2400 

12 

1 

2 

4 

2000 

15 

1 

2y 2 

5 

1750 

18 

1 

3 

5 

1600 

.... 

1 

3 

6 

1400 

.... 


ALLOWABLE STRESSES. 



SECTION 442. When all the regulations of this Part are ob¬ 
served in the design, execution and inspection of reinforced 
concrete the material thereof may be stressed not to exceed 
the following limits: 

Tensile stress in steel 1/3 its elastic limit, but not to ex¬ 
ceed 18,000 lbs. per square inch. 

Shearing stress in steel 12,000 lbs. per square inch. 
Compressive stress in steel— 

Es 

—X 

Ec 

compression in concrete, where Es is the modulus of elasticity of 
steel and Ec that of concrete. 


COMPRESSION 

SECTION 443. Axial compression in concrete 22% per cent, 
of its ultimate strength. 

Bending compression in extreme fiber of concrete 1/3 its 
ultimate strength. 

When a column or other concrete rests upon concrete of 
larger area the allowable bearing value of the concrete at plane 
of support shall not exceed 1/3 the ultimate compressive strength 
of the concrete over the smaller area, nor % the ultimate com¬ 
pressive strength over the larger area. 

SHEAR 

- SECTION 444. Direct shear in concrete 1-40 of its ultimate 
compressive strength; horizontal reinforcement will not be con¬ 
sidered to resist shear; for beams with horizontal reinforcements 
only, the maximum allowable shearing stress sfiall be that pre¬ 
scribed for concrete. 

For beams in which a part of the longitudinal reinforcement 
is bent up with. due regard to the shearing stress, a higher value 
may be allowed, but not to exceed 60 lbs. per square inch. 

For beams thoroughly reinfofced for shear a value not ex¬ 
ceeding 120 square inch may be allowed; for T-beams the width 
of the stem only shall be considered to resist shear. 

The requisite amount of shear reinforcement may be cal¬ 
culated on the assumption that the entire shear on a section 
less the amount allowed to be carried by the concrete is car¬ 
ried by the steel in a length of beam equal to its depth. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


75 


BOND. 

SECTION 445... Adhesion-bond for 1:2:4 concrete not ex¬ 
ceeding the following in pounds per square inch of imbedded sur¬ 
face: 

On plain round or square bars of structural steel . 70 

On plain round or square bars of high carbon steel . 5(J 

On plain flat bars in which the ratio of the sides is not more f 

than 2 to 1 ......-.. 50 

On twisted bars having not less than one. complete twist in 

a length of 8 diameters ...'......... 100 

On specially formed bars, not over one-quarter of the ulti¬ 
mate bond strength of such bars without appreciable slip, de¬ 
termined by tests to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of 
Buildings, but provided that in no case shall such allowable unit 
stress exceed 100 pounds. Eor other grades of concrete the 
adhesion-bond strength shall be assumed to be proportionate to 
the ultimate compressive strength of the concrete. 

DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION. 

SECTION 446. Reinforcing steel must be completely enclos¬ 
ed by the concrete and be nowhere nearer the surface of the 
concrete than as follows: 

Foundations, 4 inches. 

Columns, girders and beams, 1% inches. Slabs, % inch. 

Exposed metal of any kind will not be considered a factor 
in the strength of any concrete structure, and a plaster finish 
applied over metal will not be deemed sufficient protection un¬ 
less made of cement and of sufficient thickness and so secured 
as to meet the approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

The outer one-inch thickness of concrete in columns and 
piers shall not be considered to carry any of the load. 

SECTION 447. Joints in monolithic structures are to be 
avoided as far as practicable, but when necessary ' they must 
comply with the following regulations: 

Concrete in members of a floor system may be joined at or 
near a section of minimum shear, usually in the middle of span, 
but not at a point of concentrated loading, and in columns at 
the bottom of the deepest intersecting floor members. Joints 
shall be at a right angle to the direction of the principal com¬ 
pressive stress. 

Joints in longitudinal reinforcing of columns shall occur only 
at or near floors or other adequate lateral supports. 

SECTION 448. The load from longitudinal reinforcement of 
columns shall be distributed into the footings by means of bear¬ 
ing plates or bars, or by sufficient imbedment in concrete. 

Abutting ends of compression bars must have full bearing 
normal to axis at juncture, and be enclosed and grouted in suit¬ 
able metal sleeves. Sheared bars will not be considered to meet 
this requirement. Column longitudii al bars designed to carry 
more than 12,000 pounds each shall have abutting ends. 

Lap splice of tension or compression bars must be of suffi¬ 
cient length to develop the stfess in steel at joint without over¬ 
straining the adhesion bond or sheer strength of the concrete. 






76 


THE BUILDING CODE 


Adequate splice bars must be imbedded in the concrete of 
columns that have vertical steel with abutting ends. Such 
bars shall in no case be less than four in number nor less than 
one-half inch in least dimension. 

SECTION 449. Adequate bond strength must be provided 
and the spacing of reinforcing bars must permit a free flow of 
the coarse aggregate of the enclosing concrete. 

Anchorage for bars intended to compensate for deficient 
bond or shear shall be subject to the approval of the Superin¬ 
tendent of Buildings. Plain bars without anchorage shall not be 
considered suitable reinforcement for concrete in foundations 
or other concrete likely to remain wet. 

The longitudinal steel in beams and girders shall be so dis¬ 
posed that there will be a horizontal thickness of concrete be¬ 
tween the separate pieces of steel of not less than 1% times the 
greatest diameter of the steel, and a vertical thickness of not 
fess than one inch between horizontal rows of bars. 

SECTION 450. The spacing of stirrups when they are re¬ 
quired shall not exceed three-quarters of the depth of the beam. 
Stirrups must extend from top to bottom of beam, and loop or 
connect to horizontal reinforcement, and must have sufficient 
length to provide the necessary bond to develop the tensile 
stress in them. Stirrups shall be vertical unless rigidly attached 
to tension steel. 

SECTION 451. Compression steel in beams must be anchor¬ 
ed to the tension steel by means of stirrups or ties equivalent 
in section and frequency to the ties required for longitudinal re¬ 
inforcement of columns. 

SECTION 452. Slabs in monolithic structure shall be de¬ 
signed and reinforced as continuous over the supports. 

Top finish of cement mortar shall not be considered in com¬ 
puting the moment of resistance of slabs, beams or girders. 

SECTION 453. Effective bond must be provided at the junc¬ 
ture of beam and slab. Transverse reinforcement extending well 
into the slab may be required to increase the bond when the 
principal slab reinforcement is parallel to the beam or girder. 

SECTION 454. Where adequate bond between slab and web 
of beam is provided, the slab may be considered an integral 
part of the beam, but its effective width shall be determined as 
follows: 

It shall not exceed one-third of the span length of the 
beam: 

Its overhanging width on either side shall not exceed three- 
eighths the distance to the next beam, nor four times the thick¬ 
ness of slab. No part of the slab shall be considered a part of 
the beam unless integrally cast with it. 

SECTION 455. If the neutral axis fall below the bottom of 
the slab, compensation for the lost compression area must be 
provided. 

SECTION 456. Columns of reinforced concrete may be used 
in which the ratio of length to least side of diameter does not 


THE BUILDING CODE 


77 


exceed fifteen, but in no case shall the least diameter of column 
be less than 8 inches. Reinforced concrete columns having a 
slenderness ratio greater than 15 shall not be used except for 
small loads, and in such case the reduced unit stress shall be as 
approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 457. Longitudinal reinforcing rods must be tied 
together in such manner as will effectively resist outward flex¬ 
ure at intervals of not more than 15 times least diameter of the 
rod nor more than 18 inches, and no case to exceed the least 
diameter of the column. Every third tie in rectangular columns 
must run diagonally from corner to corner. The ties shall be 
not less than *4 inch in diameter or least dimension. 

At least four longitudinal reinforcing rods shall be used in 
every reinforced concrete column, and they shall be equivalent 
in area to not less than one-half of 1 per cent, of the cross 
section of the column, provided that the total sectional area of 
reinforcing steel shall be not less than one square inch and that 
no rod or bar shall be smaller diameter or dimension than 
% inch. 

In columns having longitudinal reinforcing only, the area of 
steel shall be limited to 5 per cent, of the cross section of the 
column. 

SECTION 458. The effect of the eccentric loading must be con¬ 
sidered in calculating the unit stresses of columns. Reinforced 
concrete columns built monolithic with beams or girders, or rigid¬ 
ly attached to them, must be designed to resist the maximum 
unbalanced moment that may be caused thereby in addition to 
the direct column loads. 

*SECTION 459. When the reinforcing consists of vertical 
bars and spiral hooping, the working stress of the concrete 
within the hooping may be taken at one-quarter of its ulti¬ 
mate strength plus the increase due to spiral hooping, provided: 

That the amount of vertical reinforcing be not less than the 
amount of spiral reinforcing nor greater than 7% per cent of the 
area within the hooping; 

That the amount of spiral hooping be not less than one- 
half of 1 per cent., nor greater than 1.6 per cent of the area 
within the hooping; 

That the pitch of spiral hooping be uniform and not greater 
than one-seventh of the diameter of the spiral nor greater than 
three inches; 

That the spiral be accurately spaced by not less than three 
approved mechanical spacing bars or secured to the verticals not 
less than four times in each revolution in such manner as to 
insure the maintaining of its form and position; 

That the verticals be so spaced that their distances apart on 
the circumference of spiral be not greater than 9 inches or 
one-eighth of the circumference nor less than 1% diameters of 
the rods- in the clear. All verticals must be securely held in 
place by wiring to the spirals, or otherwise as approved by 
the Superintendent of Buildings. 


(At points where the hooping- is spliced, stopped, or started, 
the free ends must be bent around a vertical rod and extended 
into the core a sufficient distance to develop the hooping.) 



78 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 460. In such columns, the action of the steel 
hooping may be assumed to increase the resistance of the en¬ 
closed concrete an amount equivalent to 2% times the resist¬ 
ance that would be afforded by the same quantity of steel in 
the form of vertical reinforcement if imbedded in concrete 
stressed one-quarter its ultimate strength. It is assumed that 
this action does not alter the modulus of elasticity of the con¬ 
crete. 

No part of the concrete outside of the hooping shall be 
considered a part of the effective column section. 

SECTION 461. No water, steam, soil or vent pipes nor any 
conduit shall be built into the structural part of any concrete 
column, beam or girder. Pipes of any kind if imbedded in floor 
slabs must be so disposed as not to impair the strength of the 
floor. 

SECTION 462. The amount of reinforcement required for 
walls shall be-sufficient to resist the stress occasioned by dead 
and live load, wind and earth pressure, and other acting forces 
without exceeding the allowable unit stresses prescribed in this 
Code, and the sectional form and thickness, unless specifically pre¬ 
scribed, shall be suitable for an effective structure for the purpose 
intended, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of 
Buildings. 

SECTION 463. ..Curtain walls of reinforced concrete shall 
be not less than 6 inches thick for the upper two stories, 7 
inches thick for the next three lower stories, 8 inches thick 
for the next four stories and 9 inches thick for all stories below 
the ninth story from the top, and shall be reinforced with 

vertical steel equivalent to 3-10 of 1 per cent, of the sectional 
area of the wall, spaced not more than 18 inches apart, and 
horizontal steel of equivalent sectional area, set not to exceed 
18 inches apart, and wired to each vertical . rod at each inter¬ 
section. Vertical rods shall be spliced together with iron wire. 
Horizontal rods shall be wired to the columns. Additional rods 
shall be set around openings, the verticals being wired to the 
nearest horizontal bars and the horizontal bars at the top and 
bottom of openings shall be wired to the nearest vertical rods. 

SECTION 464. Filler walls of reinforced concrete with 

horizontal and vertical reinforcing sufficient to resist a lateral 
pressure either inward or outward of 30 pounds to the square 
foot shall not be required to be more than 6 inches thick above 
the ground. 

SECTION 465. All veneer facings on reinforced concrete 
construction shall be securely bonded and tied to the backing by 
metal ties, in the form of staples, not less than %-inch in dia¬ 
meter. The ties shall be bedded into the wall or structural part 
of the building not less than four inches with ends turned over 
to give a mechanical anchorage. Ties shall not be more than 2 

feet 0 inches apart horizontally, and shall be placed in every 

piece of veneering, in every horizontal joint between courses of 
stone or terra cotta veneering and between every five courses of 
brick veneering, unless modified by special design submitted to 
and approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


79 


SECTION 466. Plans and specifications filed with applica¬ 
tion for permit must show or describe: 

The general arrangement and all essential details of the con¬ 
struction as prescribed in this Ordinance; 

The form work and temporary supports; 

The character, size and position of all reinforcing; 

The qualities, proportions and method of mixing the mat¬ 
erials used in the concrete, and directions for placing the con¬ 
crete ; 

The dead and live loads to be carried. 

INSPECTION AND TESTS. 

SECTION 467. Inspection during construction except as 
hereinafter provided shall be made by competent inspectors un¬ 
der the supervision of an engineer or architect representing the 
owner, and shall cover all essential matters relating to the 
work, including the following: 

Materials: 

The correct construction and erection of the forms and sup¬ 
ports and cleaning the forms of all debris; 

The sizes, shapes, arrangement and fastenings of the rein¬ 
forcement; 

The proportioning, mixing and placing of the concrete; 

The strength of concrete by tests of standard test pieces 
made on the work; 

Whether the concrete is sufficiently hardened before the 
forms and supports are removed; it being understood that the 
time of removal is always subject to the approval of the Sup¬ 
erintend of Buildings; 

Prevention of injury to any part of the structure by and 
after the removal of forms; 

Comparison of dimensions of all parts of the finished struc- 
ture with the plans. 

SECTION 468. The Superintendent of Buildings may from 
time to time require of the Inspectors; the Architect, or En¬ 
gineer in charge, satisfactory written reports of the inspection 
of any part of the work upon blank forms supplied for the pur¬ 
pose, or other satisfactory evidence of thorough and efficient 
supervision. Inspections and reports made by the owner’s 
representatives shall be supplementary to and not a substitute fbr 
work performed by. the city’s authorized inspectors. 

REINFORCED CONCRETE NOT UNDER EXPERT 
INSPECTION. 

SECTION 469. Reinforced concrete work complying with 
these regulations in all other respects but not under expert 
inspection and supervision as hereinbefore prescribed may be 
permitted; but in such case the allowable unit stresses in the 
concrete as defined herein shall be reduced 25 per cent. 

SECTION 470. Permission to erect does not in any manner 
accept reinforced concrete construction until after tests of the 
actual construction have been made to the satisfaction of the 
Superintendent of Buildings. 


80 


THE BUILDING CODE 


LOAD TESTS APPLIED TO STRUCTURES. 

SECTION 471. All reinforced concrete construction, when 
required by the Superintendent of Buildings, but in no case 
within 28 days after construction, shall be subject to a load 
test which shall show that the construction will sustain a load 
of twice that for which it is designed without any sign of fail¬ 
ure, or in the case of beams, girders or floors without deflecting 
more than .00143 of the span. 

FORMS. 

SECTION 472. Forms must be substantial and unyielding, so 
that the concrete shall conform to the designed dimensions and 
contours, tight enough to prevent leakage of mortar, clean and 
cleared of all debris and thoroughly wet before receiving the 
concrete. 

SECTION 473. Forms must be so constructed as to admit of 
easy inspection and must not be filled with concrete prior to in¬ 
spection and approval by the Superintendent of Buildings unless 
expressly authorized by him. Such inspection shall be made 
within 36 hours after notification that work is ready for in- 
spectipn. 

SECTION 474. In no case shall the props and shores used 
in reinforced concrete construction be removed from under floors 
and roofs in less than two weeks, except as is provided herein. 
Column forms shall not be removed in less than four days. The 
centering from bottom of slabs and sides of beams and girders 
may be removed after the concrete has set for one week, if the 
floor has obtained sufficient hardness to sustain the dead weight 
of the said floor. No load or weight shall be placed on any 
portion of the construction until the concrete has fully set and 
the centers have been removed. 

REINFORCEMENT. 

SECTION 475. The fabrication, shape, size and position of 
reinforcement must conform to the approved plans. Effective 
means must be employed to secure the steel against displacement. 

PROTECTION FROM INJURY. 

SECTION 476. Care and effective supervision must be ex¬ 
ercised to protect new concrete from injury of any kind. 

STRUCTURAL STEEL AND IRON. GENERAL REQUIRE¬ 
MENTS. 

SECTION 477. All structural wrought or nast iron or steel 
in quality, requirments of tests, workmanship and in assemblages 
and interconnections of shapes shall comply with standard speci¬ 
fications of the Association of American Steel Manufacturers as 
given in the latest hand books of the respective standard man¬ 
ufacturers (See Appendix.) 

Wrought iron shall be fibrous, tough and ductile. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


81 


Cast iron shall be of good foundry mixture, producing a 
clean, tough gray iron. 

Structural steel shall be made either by the Bessemer or 
open hearth process. 

ALLOWABLE STRESSES. 


SECTION 478. The maximum allowable stresses in pounds 
per square inch in steel and iron shall not exceed the follow¬ 
ing: 


Rolled 

Steel. 


Tension on net section ... 16,000 

Compression on gross section . 16,000 

Bending on extreme fibers . 16,000 


Bending on extreme fibers tension 
Bending on extreme fibers com¬ 


pression .......... 

Bending on extreme fibers of pins 24,000 
Shear: shop driven rivets and pins 12,000 

Shear: field driven rivets . 10,000 

Shear on rolled steel shapes . 12,000 

Shear plate girder webs, gross 

section . 10,000 

Shear on brackets .. 

Bearing, shop driven rivets and 

pins . 24,000 

Bearing, field rivets . 20,000 


Cast 

Wrought Cast 

Steel. 

Iron 

Iron 

16,000 

12,000 


16,000 

12,000 

10,000 

16,000 

12,000 




3,000 



10.000 


2,000 


COLUMNS, STEEL AND IRON. 

(See also Section 485.) 

SECTION 479. The allowable compressive stresses per 
square inch for columns shall be determined by the following 
formula: 

L 

Steel columns, 16,000-70 — 

R 

But shall not exceed 14,000 pounds. 

L 

Wrought iron columns, 12,000-60 — 

R 

L 

Cast iron columns, 10,000.60 — 

R 

In the above formulas: 

L equals length in inches. 

R equals least radius of gyration in inches. 

For steel columns filled with, and encased in concrete ex¬ 
tending at least 3 inches beyond the outer edge of the steel, 
where the steel is calculated to carry the entire live and dead 
load, the allowable stress per square inch shall be determined by 
the following formula: 

L 

18,000-70 — 

R 

But shall not exceed 16,000 pounds. 












































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President Vice Pres. & Secy. Treasurer 

Western Hardware&Metal Company 

SEATTLE 

Wholesale Dealers in 

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including 

Iron and Steel, Bars, Shapes, Structurals, etc., 

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Direct Representation of Steel Mills and Manufacturers 

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Satisfaction “Deliveries Always On Time” Service 


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Manufacturers of 

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BUILDING SPECIALTIES 

CEMENT PAINT PLASTER LIME 



82 








THE BUILDING CODE 


83 


For steel columns filled with, but not encased in concrete, 
the steel shall be calculated to carry the entire live and dead 
load. In this case the above formula may be used, but the al¬ 
lowable stress shall not exceed 14,000 pounds. 

Stresses due to eccentric loading shall be provided for in 
all columns. 

SECTION 480. For stresses produced by wind forces com¬ 
bined with those from live and dead load, the unit stress may 
be increased 50 per cent, over those given above; but the sec¬ 
tion shall not be less than required if wind forces be neglected. 

SECTION 481. The length of rolled steel columns shall not ex¬ 
ceed 120 times the least radii of gyration, except struts for 
wind bracing only may be not to exceed 150 times the least 
radius of' gyration. 

The length of cast iron columns shall not exceed 70 times 
the least radius of gyration. 

TENSION MEMBERS. 

SECTION 482. In proportioning tension members the dia¬ 
meter of rivet holes shall be taken % of -an inch larger than 
the nominal diameter of the rivet. 

In proportioning rivets the nominal diameter of the rivet 
shall be used. 

Pin-connected tension members shall have a net section 
through the pinhole at least 25 per cent, in excess of the net 
section of the body of the member and the net section back of 
the pinhole, parallel with the axis of the members, shall not be 
less 'than the net section of the body of the member. 

PLATE GIRDERS. 

SECTION 483. Plate girders shall be proportioned either 
by the moment of inertia of their net section or by as¬ 
suming that the flanges are concentrated at their centers of 
gravity and a unit stress used such that the extreme fiber stress 
does not exceed 16,000 pounds per square inch, in which case % 
of the gross section of the web, if properly spliced, may be used 
as flange section. 

The gross section of the compression flanges of plate girders 
shall not be less than the gross section of the tension flanges; 
nor shall the extreme fiber stress in the compression flange of 
any beam or girder of a longer length than 25 times the width 
exceed in pounds per square inch: 

L 

20,000-160 — 

B 

In which formula L equals unsupported length and B equals 
width of flange. 

The flanges of plate girders shall be connected to the web 
with a sufficient number of rivets to transfer the total shear 
at any point in a distance equal to the effective depth’of the 
girder at that point combined with any load that is applied on 
the flanges. 


84 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 484. The Superintendent of Buildings may at any 
■time require the owner to engage recognized experts to super¬ 
vise the mill, shop and field work on structural steel, who shall 
file certified copies of their reports on the progress of the work, 
and no work shall be concealed or built upon until the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings has been furnished satisfactory proof 
that it is up to the accepted standard. 

LATTICE AND BOX COLUMNS. 

SECTION 485. When the vertical reinforcement of a struc- 
ural column is of box shaps, with lattice or batten plates of 
such form as to permit its being filled with and encased in 
concrete, the concrete may be stressed not to exceed % its 
ultimate compressiye strength, provided that no shape of less 
than one square inch section be used and that the spacing of 
the lacing or battens be not greater than the least'width of the 
column. The unit stress in the steel shall be determined from 
the concrete stress as in ordinary reinforced concrete columns. 

REINFORCING STEEL. 

SECTION 486. The bending and elongation of steel used 
in reinforced concrete construction shall conform to the follow¬ 
ing requirements: 

Steel having a diameter of % of an inch or less shall be 
capable of bending cold 90 degrees over a diameter equal to 
twice the thickness of the piece without fracture; steel more than 
% inch in diameter shall be capable of bending cold to 90 de¬ 
grees over a diameter equal to three times the diameter of the 
piece. 

The materials of reinforcement shall be of such form that 
it will not elongate under working stress to exceed 1-1500. 

SECTION 487. Reinforceing steel used in reinforced con¬ 
crete construction shall not be painted, but shall be free from all 
mill scale and loose rust. 

SKELETON FRAMING. 

SECTION 488. Skeleton framing is a form of building con¬ 
struction w herein all external and internal loads and stresses 
are transmitted to the foundation by a skeleton or framework 
of metal or reinforced concrete and wherein the wall loads as 
well as floor loads are transmitted through beams or girders to 
the columns at each floor level wherever it is practicable to do 
so. 

All wall supports must be wide enough for the purpose of 
stability and must have the requisite bearing area for the mat¬ 
erial, to be supported without exceeding the unit stresses allowed 
by this Code. 

SECTION 489. In reinforced concrete skeleton construction, 
all plates, angles or other structural shapes required to carry wall 
facings shall be bolted or otherwise secured by approved meth¬ 
ods to the backing in such manner that the weight of the fac¬ 
ing will be directly borne by the skeleton framework. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


85 


SECTION 490. In metal frame skeleton construction the 
beams and girders shall be riveted to each other at their re¬ 
spective junction points. If columns made of rolled iron or steel 
are used, their different parts shall be_ riveted to each other, and 
the beams and girders shall have riveted connections to unite 
them with the columns. 

If cast iron columns are used, each successive column shall 
be bolted to the one below it by at least four bolts not less 
than %-inch in diameter, and the beams and girders shall be 
bolted to the columns. Bolt holes in flanges for connection of 
columns to columns shall be drilled. 

Cast iron columns shall not be used in buildings of greater 
height than twice the least width, nor in buildings over 80 feet 
high. 

At each line of floor or roof beams, lateral connections be¬ 
tween the ends of the beams and girders shall be made in such 
manner as to connect rigidly the beams and girders with each 
other in the direction of their length. 

Wherever it is found impossible to rivet connections as 
herein prescribed and such connections are bolted, cold rolled 
or turned bolts of exact fit and diameter in reamed holes may 
be used in place of rivets, with the same allowable stresses as 
field driven rivets. 

SECTION 491. All buildings over eight stories high shall 
be of skeleton construction. All buildings over twelve stories 
high shall be of steel frame skeleton construction. 

ERECTION OF STEEL. 

SECTION 492. All structural members which are tempor¬ 
arily bolted together shall be well bolted in every alternate 
hole. 

SECTION 493. All structural steel and iron work must be 
firmly braced and held in place during erection and until it is 
finally riveted up and secured in its correct permanent position 
by metal braces or by being enclosed with masonry. Permanent 
steel braces shall be used in the lower stories of all buildings 
over 11 stories high to keep the frame erect. The number of 
stories so braced, independently of the requirements of wind 
bracing shall be not less than 2 (N-10), in which N is the total 
number of stories. Buildings over 20 stories high shall be brac¬ 
ed in all stories. 

SECTION 494. All steel trusses shall be riveted. All 
trusses shall be held rigidly in position, both temporarily and 
permanently, by effective lateral and sway bracing. 

DETAILS AND WORKMANSHIP. 

SECTION 495. All structural details and workmanship 
shall -be in accordance with accepted engineering practice. 

PAINTING OF STRUCTURAL STEEL. 

SECTION 496. All metal shall be clean and shall be free 
from loose rust and scale, and all metal except that to be em¬ 
bedded in concrete shall be protected with at least two eoats of 
metal protecting paint. 



86 


THE BUILDING CODE 


PART V. FIRE HAZARD REGULATIONS. 


DIVISION WALLS. 


SECTION 501. All buildings to be used as stores, factories, 
workshops, warehouses or office buildings, except as hereinafter 
provided, - shall be divided by fire walls, so located that the 
floor area in any division so formed shall not exceed the num¬ 
ber of square feet indicated in the following table: 


Fireproof 

Buildings 

On lots with more than 
one street frontage 20,000 
On lots with only one 

street frontage . 18,000 


Mill 

Buildings 

15,000 

13,500 


Ordinary 

Masonry 

Buildings 

10,000 

-9,000 


Frame 

Buildings 

8,000 

7,200 


CONCESSIONS ALLOWED WHERE AUTOMATIC SPRINK¬ 
LERS ARE INSTALLED. 

SECTION 502. Ordinary store buildings of fireproof con¬ 
struction having all elevators, stairways and other openings 
through the floors enclosed with walls of brick, concrete or 
other fireproof construction, and with approved automatic self¬ 
closing fireproof doors at all openings into such enclosures are not 
restricted as to the undivided floor area, provided each such 
building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic 
sprinkler system constructed as specified in the following section. 

The occupancy of unrestricted and other large undivided 
floor areas including the disposition of materials and merchan¬ 
dise shall be subject to inspection and reasonable regulations by 
the Fire Marshal and Chief of Fire Department. 

SECTION 503. The allowed area between fire walls in re¬ 
stricted buildings may be increased 100 per cent, when the height 
of the building does not exceed the height permitted in this 
Code for such buildings, and 50 per cent, when the height of the 
buildings exceeds such limits, if each division thereof is 
equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system construct¬ 
ed to operate at a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and 
so designed as to protect every square foot, of floor area, in¬ 
cluding closets, halls and stairs. 

Such system shall be connected to a tank or tanks, so lo¬ 
cated as to develop a gravity pressure or head of at least 10 
pounds per square inch at the sprinkler heads in the upper¬ 
most story of the building, and having a capacity of one gallon 
for every square foot or area of the ground or first floor of the 
building, which tank or tanks shall be kept constantly filled with 
water. At each division of the building there shall be connected 
with the main supply pipe of the sprinkler system a pipe at 
least 4 inches in diameter with suitable check valves, which 
latter pipe shall run to a convenient point outside the building 
end in a two-way automatic Siamese connection with National 
Standard 2^-inch coupling threads. 



THEBUILDING CODE 


87 


♦SECTION 504. In Fireproof, Mill or Ordinary Masonry 
Buildings, all required fire walls shall be constructed of masonry, 
and in Frame Buildings shall be constructed either o.f masonry 
or other approved fireproof construction or of solid wood not 
less than 3% inches thick, as required for partitions in Mill 
Buildings. All such fire walls, shall be built from the ground up 
to a point 3 feet above the roof and shall be continuous. The 
number and size of openings through such walls shall be min¬ 
imized and all 'openings shall be protected on both sides of the 
wall by automatic fire doors of approved design and construction. 


♦(This section is construed to apply to those buildings re¬ 
ferred to both in Section 501 and Section 506.) 

SECTION 505. The provisions relating to fire walls shall be 
construed liberally in the case of sawmills, grain elevators and 
similar buildings, with a due regard to the nature • of the oc¬ 
cupancy and the business necessarily conducted therein; but in 
case the allowed area between fire walls be increased, other 
reasonable substitute requirements in the interest of public safety 
may be prescribed by the Superintendent of Buildings. 


Specifications made under authority of Section 505 for frame 
buildings used for manufacturing purposes, and of larger undivided 
areas than are allowed by Section 501. 

1. The roof sheathing and under flooring shall be 2x6 T & G. 

2. No truss members, beams or joist shall be less than 6" in 
least dimension. 

3. No brace shall be smaller than 4"x6". 

4. The post shall be not smaller than 8x8. 

5. If the building is over 200' long roof curtains constructed 
of 2x6 T & G shall be provided every 100' 

6. If the building is over 50' in height the roofing shall be 
gravel topped or of equivalent fire resisting qualities. 

If the above mentioned buildings are in the third district, shall, 
in addition to the above requirements, have: 

1. Gravel topped roof or equivalent. 

2. Outside sheathing of 2x6 T & G on 4"x4" girts. 

3. Posts not smaller than 10x10. 

The above mentioned buildings shall also comply with the re¬ 
quirements of Section 956 and all other sections of the Building 
Code. 


PLACES OF HABITATION AND REFUGE AND DETENTION. 

♦SECTION 506. Excepting dwellings all buildings more than 
two stories in height, used wholly or partly as places of habita-^ 
tion or of refuge and detention, unless they be of fireproof con¬ 
struction, shall have fire walls not more than 60 feet apart. 

No joists, girder or floor shall pass through or into any 
solid wood fire wall, and no opening shall be made through such 
wall other than those required for the continuation of publie 
halls or corridors. 

All solid wood fire walls must be lathed and plastered or 
metal covered on both sides. All fire walls shall continue through 
attic spaces. 

Every frame building used for the purpose indicated in this 
section shall have its fire walls of masonry or other approved 
fireproof construction not more than 120 feet apart. 


♦(The first paragraph of this section is interpreted to re¬ 
quire divisions of not to exceed 7,200 square feet each; and the 
last paragraph to require divisions not exceeding 14,400 square 
feet each.) 





88 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 507. In case large rooms in any story prevent the 
continuity .of any required fire wall, such wall may be omitted 
on that floor if the floor above and below the said large rooms 
be constructed so as to be fire resistive as approved by the 
Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 508. Where required fire walls cross halls or 
passageways, all openings shall be provided with approved auto¬ 
matic fireproof doors, which will operate at a temperature of 165 
degrees Fahrenheit. 

SECTION 509. All attics or unfinished spaces between the 
ceiling of the top story and the rafters of any non-fireproof 
building shall be divided into compartments or rooms, having 
a floor area of not to exceed 3,600 square feet, by partitions of 
dry shiplap or matched lumber not less than %"x6" with no 
loose knots and made double with broken joints, or by fireproof 
or incombustible stud partitions. Each of such compartments, 
not separated by division walls, shall be connected with all ad¬ 
joining compartments by doors of the same materials as the 
partition, and not less than 2'0" in their smallest dimension. 
Such doors shall be kept closed and so fastened as to be opened 
from either side without the use of a key. 

AUTOMATIC FIRE DOORS. 

SECTION 510. All buildings shall have on each side of all 
openings through division walls, or through exterior or party 
walls into adjoining buildings, wooden tin-clad self-closing fire 
doors, constructed of two thicknesses of matched dry lumber %- 
inch thick, crossed at right angles, and nailed with clinched nails 
and completely covered with tin plates not larger than 10"xl4", 
with lock joints hammered down over all nail heads, and with 
all hinges, hangers, latches and appurtenances bolted to the 
door after tinning. All tracks and stops shall be bolted through 
the wall or securely into the wall with expansion bolts, and all 
eyes or lugs shall be built into the wall. All such doors shall 
be hung on iron or steel eyes, hinges or tracks securely fastened 
to the wall, independently of any woodwork. 

Every sliding self-closing fire door shall be hung with iron 
or steel trucks on an iron or steel track inclined % inches to 
I'd" and shall when closed rest not more than y 2 Inch from the 
wall, and shall overlap on the top and sides at least 3 inches 
against brick, stone, concrete or iron; provided that horizontal 
iron or steel tracks may be permitted by the Superintendent of 
buildings if in his judgment the closing counterweight or other 
automatic closing device provided is equal to or better than 
the inclined track arrangement herein described. 

Swinging self-closing fire doors shall shut into a brick rab¬ 
bet in the wall or into a 3"x3"x}4" angle iron rabbet secured 
through the wall by iron bars, spaced not over 24 

inches apart, or shall overlap the wall not less than 4 inches at 
sides and top. 

Every such sliding or swinging door shall at all times be 
provided with an efficient self-closing device, which will operate 
at a temperature of 165° Fahrenheit. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


89 


FIRE SHUTTERS. 

SECTION 511. Whenever any buildings shall be provided 
with exterior fire shutters above the first story, such shutters 
shall be securely fastened to the building, and so hung as to 
be readily opened or closed from either the inside or the out¬ 
side. All firedoors and shutters to openings on the first floor 
shall be securely hung, and at least one of such fire door shutters 
on the front, one on either side, if any, and one in the rear 
shall be so fastened that it can be opened from the outside by 
fireman. 


STAND PIPES. 

SECTION 512. Every building 4 stories or more in height 
above the lowest street or alley grade, shall have at least one 
galvanized wrought 1 iron stand pipe for each separate division 
of the building as may be determined by the Eire Marshal. Such 
pipe shall be situated not more than V 0" from the fire escape on 
an exterior wall and shall extend from 5'0" above the ground to 
and above the roof. At each floor and on the roof there shall 
be branches with good 2%-inch‘valves and National standard 2 y 2 
inch couplings and at the bottom an automatic Siamese inlet 
with female couplings of the same size and standard. Branches 
at each story shall be directed toward the nearest windows. 

The dimensions of stand pipes shall be as follows: 4 inches 
in diameter for 4-story buildings, with a 2-way inlet at the 
bottom. If a building is from 5 to 10 stories in height, the por¬ 
tion of the stand-pipe on the 4 upper stories shall be 4 inches in 
diameter and on the stories below 5 inches in diameter, with a 
3-way inlet at the bottom. If a building is over 10 stories in 
height, the portion of the standpipe on the 4 upper stories shall 
be 4 inches in diameter, the portion on the 6 stories immediately 
below them shall be 5 inches in diameter and on all the stories 
below the' upper 10 the standpipe shall be 6 inches in 
diameter, with a 4-way inlet at the bottom. 

Each standpipe shall be fastened securely by bolts through 
the wall in a manner approved by the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings. 

BASEMENT SPRINKLERS. 

% 

*SECTION 513. In every cellar, basement or sub-basement 
in the first or second building district, exceptAn places of habi¬ 
tation, which is used for the storage of combustible goods or 
merchandise, there shall be provided an approved automatic 
sprinkler system so constructed as to protect every square foot 
of floor area, including spaces under sidewalks, constructed to 
operate at a temperature of 165° Fahrenheit, connected at all 
times with a water supply under pressure. 

*(For storage cellars, basements and sub-basements in the 
third and fourth building districts, Section 184 of Ordinance 17240. 
requires that “there shall be provided through the center of each 
division of such cellar, basement or sub-basement, and also every 
40' across the width where such cellar, basbment or sub-basement 
is not subdivided by brick, stone or concrete walls without open¬ 
ings, three 2 y 2 " interior diameter iron pipes, each ending in a 
turn to which is attached a distributing nozzle, one of which 
nozzles shall be located midway between the front and rear walls 



90 


THE BUILDING CODE 


There shall be connected with the main supply pipe of the 
sprinkler system a pipe at least 4 inches in diameter with suit¬ 
able check valves, which latter pipe shall run to a convenient 
point outside the building and. end in a two-way automatic 
Siamese connection with National standard 2% -inch coupling 
threads. 

Automatic sprinkler in warehouses and 

FACTORIES. 

SECTION 514. Every building over 5 stories high used as 
a warehouse, factory or workshop, or store, shall be completely 
equippped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler sys¬ 
tem which shall include the outside automatic connection for 
the fire department as described in the preceding section. 


ACCESS TO WATER AND GAS. 

SECTION 515. Every building, except dwellings occupied, 
or intended to be occupied by not more than two families, shall 
be provided with an enclosure or enclosures, constructed of in¬ 
combustible material, located immediately within the curb of and 
beneath the sidewalk in front of said building. 

Access into such enclosure shall be afforded by an opening 
in its top, which opening shall have a suitable locked iron cover 
set in the sidewalk. Fastenings to all sqch covers shall be iden¬ 
tical and shall conform to sample in the office of the Chief of 
the Fire Department. Such enclosures shall contain gates, valves 
or other means of controlling all water and gas services for 
said building, clearly tagged or marked. 


PLASTERING. 

SECTION 520. ..Wherever lath and plaster is required, the 
the same shall extend to the floor and to the stair carriages, 
and wood lath shall be not less than % inch apart. 

Whenever any building is ready to lath, the owner, contrac¬ 
tor or other person in charge of the work shall notify the office 


of such cellar, basement or sub-basement, one midway between the 
central nozzle and the front wall and one midway between the 
central nozzle and the rear wall, and which lines of pipe shall 
be so arranged that they shall project together through the wall 
of the building above the sidewalk or pavement a sufficient dis¬ 
tance to allow the Fire Department to connect hose therewith 
and each shall be provided with an elbow, a Seattle standard 
2 W female coupling, a screw plug and chain, the pipe connecting 
with the nearest nozzle to be placed on the right; that with the 
central nozzle in the center; and that with the farthest nozzle on 
the left; provided, that in any cellar, basement or sub-basement 
where the said system of three pipes with distributing nozzles is 
installed in the center of each division, or every 40' across the 
width where not subdivided, but where said pipe system is di¬ 
rectly connected with a main of the city water system, and prop¬ 
erly maintained, and where in any cellar, basement or sub¬ 
basement there is a complete automatic sprinkler system so con¬ 
structed as to protect every square foot of floor area and to 
operate at a temperature of 165° Fahrenheit, connected with a 
water supply at all times under pressure, and with a two-wav 
Siamese connection located at some point outside the buildine 
convenient for the use of the Fire Department and fitted wUh 
Seattle standard female couplings, screw plugs and chains th« 
provisions of this section shall not apply.”) cnains, the 



THE BUILDING CODE 


91 


of the Superintendent of Buildings of such fact, giving the 
number of the building permit under which work is being per¬ 
formed, and it shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings within 36 hours after receiving such notice to inspect the 
building and ascertain whether or not firestops, bridging, chim¬ 
neys, fireplaces and other parts, which would be concealed by 
lath and plaster have been constructed in accordance with the 
provisions of this Code, and no lathing shall be done on such 
building within 36 hours after the giving of the notice above pro¬ 
vided for, unless the building has been sooner inspected and ap¬ 
proved by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 521. If openings to a basement occur under a 
store front or show window, the floor of the show window and 
the openings under the same shall be of the same class of con¬ 
struction as the store floor and first story openings, or equivalent 
thereto. 

SECTION 522. The walls of all interior light shafts or courts 
less than lO'O" across in any direction in non-fireproof buildings 
shall be covered with metal lath or plaster board and hard 
plaster not less than y 2 inch thick, or with sheet metal with 
locked joints, or lapped 1% inches. 

METAL LINED CHUTES. 

SECTION 523. All clothes chutes, dumb waiters, wire 
shafts, pipe shafts, and other enclosed spaces extending from 
one story to another in non-fireproof buildings other than dwell¬ 
ings shall be built of metal or lined on the inside with sheet 
metal with locked joints or lapped 1%" and shall have a tight-fit¬ 
ting metal lined covering, or door over each opening. No woodwork 
of any such chute or shaft shall be less than 2 inches from any 
masonry smoke flue or less than 12 inches from any metal smoke 
flue or pipe. 

INFLAMMABLES ON ROOF. 

SECTION 525. It shall be unlawful for any person to leave 
uncovered or in any way exposed any tar, tar paper, resin, felt 
or woodwork on any roof in the First, Second or Third Districts. 

SMOKE VENTS. 

SECTION 526. Every building more than 2 stories in height 
except dwellings, shall be provided with ventilators having a 
clear opening above the roof equal to % of 1% of the ground area 
of the building, for the escape of smoke in case of fire. Such 
ventilators shall be located over an elevator, stairway or main 
corridor, and shall be provided and connected with an efficient 
device whereby they can be readily opened and closed from 
the top floor of the building. 

No sheet metal or other vent ducts shall discharge into an 
attic or other space formed or covered or enclosed by com¬ 
bustible materials, or into any room or space in which com¬ 
bustible articles are kept or stored. All such ducts in build¬ 
ings having combustible roofs shall be carried up above such 
roofs as required in the case of smoke flues. 


92 


THE BUILDING CODE 


CHIMNEYS, SMOKESTACKS AND FLUES. 

SECTION 527. All chimneys, and all vent flues over ranges 
having hoods shall be built of good brick, stone, or approved 
concrete chimney blocks laid in mortar with flush struck joints, 
or of concrete not less than 4 inches thick, except that terra 
cotta flues may be used in unfinished one-story buildings. 

Chimney blocks made of Portland cement, clinker sand or 
other approved sand, and crushed vitrified clinkers in the pro¬ 
portion of not less than one part of cement to eight parts of the 
above mentioned aggregate, and the blocks made with a 3-inch 
shell or thicker, with rabbeted horizontal joints and no vertical 
joints, shall be considered equivalent to 4-inch brick chimney 
flues when used for service to stoves, ranges, and fireplaces, and 
for service from house furnaces when 12 feet 0 inches or more 
from the point of entrance of smoke-pipe from furnace; pro¬ 
vided, however, that no such concrete chimney block shall be 
used with a flue larger than 8 inches by 12 inches. 

SECTION 528. In all buildings in the First, Second and 
Third Building Districts, and in places of habitation other than 
dwellings in all districts, all chimneys and all vent flues over 
ranges haying hoods shall have terra cotta flue linings not less 
than one inch thick, or shall have walls not less than six inches 
thick. 

SECTION 529. All interior chimneys not lined with terra 
cotta shall be plastered on the outside after inspection and ap¬ 
proval except that portion above the roof. The inside of such 
chimneys or flues shall not be plastered. 

SECTION 530. No chimney flue shall have less than one 
square inch of sectional area to each iy 2 square inches of sec¬ 
tional area of the smokepipes entering it. 

SECTION 531. All chimneys not built from the ground shall 
be supported directly by floor timbers of ample strength or from 
the ground by posts not less than 3 y 2 inches in least dimen¬ 
sion. 

Chimneys resting on wood shall have at least three courses 
of solid brickwork at the bottom. 

SECTION 532. All floor beams, joists and headers shall be 
kept at least iy 2 inches clear of chimneys, and the space be¬ 
tween the wood and chimneys shall be filled solid with guaged 
mortar resting on a course of brick set out one inch to hold it in 
place, or the space shall be covered with metal to prevent the 
passage of fire through the floor or ceiling. 

SECTION 533. Thimbles for smokepipes shall be not less 
than six inches from any plastered partition or 12 inches from 
any wood partition, or ceiling or floor. Brick shall be cor¬ 
belled out to the face of the furring at least four inches around 
the thimble; provided, however, that the brick may be left one- 
half an inch back from the face of the furring if sheet iron or 
metal lath with a hole cut 1 y 2 inches larger than the thimble be 
put on the furring to cover the brickwork and prevent cracking 
of plaster. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


93 


SECTION 534. In racking over flues or chimneys, no course 
of brick shall be offset more than one-half an inch, and no 
racking shall be made so that the unsupported overhang shall 
be more than one-third of the base of the chimney. No nails 
shall be driven into any chimney. 

SECTION 535. A chimney exceeding in height above the 
roof five times its least dimension shall, unless laid in cement 
mortar or built of reinforced concrete, be braced with wrought 
iron or steel in a manner approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings. 

Chimneys laid in cement mortar, or constructed of rein¬ 
forced concrete, when carried to such a height that bracing is 
deemed advisable by the Superintendent of Buildings, shall be 
braced as above provided. 

SECTION 536. Except on fireproof buildings, or in case 
of chimneys penetrating the ridge of a roof, the tops of all 
chimneys shall be at least 2 feet 0 inches from any roof surface 
measured in a vertical direction and 12 feet 0 inches measured 
in any other direction. 

Substantially guyed sheet metal extensions may be used to 
secure the height herein required if placed on a chimney of 
masonry 5 feet 0 inches or more in height above a roof, provided 
such metal extension is galvanized or well painted with asphal- 
tum. 


SECTION 537. Except in dwellings, all brick flues for 
boilers not exceeding 15 horsepower, and for furnaces and ovens 
shall be 8 inches in thickness to the height of 25 feet 0 inches 
above the smoke inlet. All brick flues for boilers exceeding 15 
horsepower shall be not less than 12 inches in thickness to the 
height of 25 feet 0 inches above the smoke inlet, or lined with 
terra cotta with joints well cemented and having walls not 
less than 8 inches thick. 

SECTION 538. All chimneys having 400 or more square inches 
of sectional area shall be lined with fire brick laid in fire clay at 
least 2 feet 0 inches below and 6 feet 0 inches above the en¬ 
trance of any smokepipe. 

METAL SMOKESTACKS. 

SECTION 539. All iron smokestacks from boiler furnaces 
shall extend 15 feet 0 inches above the highest point of the 
roof of any building within 50 feet 0 inches of such smoke¬ 
stack, and shall, when wood is used for fuel, and the draft is 
either a forced or direct natural draft, be provided with spark 
arrestors having not more than ^4-inch mesh. 

Iron smokestacks less than 12 inches in diameter shall not 
be nearer than 16 inches to any woodwork and if more than 
12 inches in diameter shall have an additional distance from all 
woodwork of 34-inch for each additional inch in the diameter 
of the stack up to 36 inches. 

Iron or steel smokestacks from boiler furnaces or coffee 
roasters, where passing through any floor, ceiling or roof, shall 
be provided with a metal jacket 12 inches from the stack and 
secured to the floor, ceiling or roof. Such a jacket shall ex- 




94 


THE BUILDING CODE 


tend not less thap. 12 inches above each such floor, ceiling or 
roof, and the one at' the roof shall be provided with a metal 
umbrella covering not less than 12 inches above the top of the 
jacket. 

Iron stove pipes may be used in place of chimneys in tents, 
houseboats and isolated small unfinished one-story buildings if 
properly protected where they pass near wood or other com¬ 
bustible material. 

SECTION 540. Iron cupola chimneys bf foundries shall ex¬ 
tend at least 10 feet 0 inches above the highest point of any 
roof within 50 feet 0 inches of such cupola and shall not be 
placed within 2 feet 0 inches of any woodwork. 

FLUES. 

✓ 

SECTION 541. No iron, terra cotta or earthen pipe smoke 
flue shall be so erected as to project through an exterior wall 
or window, or through any skylight. 

SECTION 542. All flues in party walls shall be separated 
by at least 4 inches of masonry throughout the entire length, 
and any such flue shall have openings for smoke pipes upon 
one side only. 

SMOKE PIPES. 

SECTION 543. Whenever a smoke pipe passes through a 
hollow wall or a clothes closet, or any concealed space between 
the face of a partition in any room and the chimney it shall 
be of galvanized iron with riveted joints covered with five 
thicknesses of cell corrugated asbestos paper not less than one 
inch in total thickness and an outer iron pipe to protect the 
asbestos, and shall be securely built into the chimney. 

SECTION 544. In all cases where smoke pipes pass through 
stud or wood partitions of any kind, whether the same be plast¬ 
ered or not, they shall be surrounded by masonry not less than 
4 inches in thickness and extending through the partition or by 
a solid coat of plaster of paris 4 inches thick, or by a double 
metal collar with air chambers not less than 3 inches and per¬ 
forated for the passage of air, and when such partition is of 
uncovered wood, it shall be further protected by a sheet of 
metal on each side five times the diameter of the pipe across. 

SECTION 545. In all cases where hot water, steam, hot 
air or other furnaces are* used for heating a building, or any 
portion thereof, no furnace smoke pipe shall run within less than 
' 8 inches of any wooden joists or ceiling of wood or of wooden 
lath and plaster; or within less than 18 inches thereof, unless 
such joist or ceiling be protected by a shield of tin plate sus¬ 
pended above such smoke pipe not less than 1 % inches or more 
than 2 Inches from such ceiling or joists. Such shield shall have 
a width of not less than five times the diameter of such smoke 
pipe. 

REGISTERS. 

SECTION 546„ All pipe. and register boxes used for the 
distribution of hot air from furnaces shall, when the air is 


THE BUILDING CODE 


95 


heated directly from a fire box, be made of bright tin, and 
double, with not less than %-inch space between the inner and 
outer pipes, or bright tin covered with asbestos paper weighing 
not less than 2% ounces to the square foot, and shall have double 
reamed joints, and shall not be soldered. 

Where the air is heated with hot water or steam, other 
sheet metals may be used for pipes and register boxes. 

All hot air registers placed in any floor or wall, and heating 
ducts or pipes, shall be provided with 1/16" thick asbestos paper 
or other non-conductor between all metal and woodwork. 

When a register box is placed in the floor over a portable 
furnace, the open space on all sides of said box shall be at 
least 3 inches wide. When only one register is connected with 
the furnace such register shall have no valve. 

Hot air pipes shall be secured in place by clips riveted to 
the pipe and nailed to the woodwork, but no nail or tack shall 
be driven through the pipe from any hot air furnace. 

FIREPLACES. 

*SECTION 547. All hearths for fireplaces, whether used for 
wood, coal or gas, shall rest on trimmer arches of masonry, or 
tile, and all wood floor construction shall be at least 18 inches 
from the face of the finished fireplace and at least 15 inches 
from either side. 

The back and jambs of every fireplace shall be not less 
than 8" thick. After the hearth arch is set the wfioden false 
arch shall be removed. 

BRICKSET FURNACES. 

SECTION 548. The tops of all furnaces set in brick shall 
be covered with brick, slate, galvanized iron or tin, supported by 
iron bars and so constructed as to be perfectly tight. No range 
candy furnace or kettle set in brick shall be built against a 
brick wall with any combustible material between it and the 
wall, or upon said wall for a height of 2'0" above such range, 
furnace or kettle. 

HOTEL RANGES. 

SECTION 549. All wood lath and plaster, or wood ceiling 
or joists over ranges in hotels, restaurants or boarding houses^ 
shall be guarded by metal hoods placed at least .12 inches below 
the ceiling or . joists. Any ventilating pipe connected with a 
hood over such range shall be of heavy galvanized iron and 
kept 12 inches from any wood lath and plaster or any com¬ 
bustible material, or said pipes shall be covered with one inch 
thickness of asbestos paper on wire mesh. No such pipe shall pass 
unprotected through any floor or partition. Such metal hoods 
shall have all joints and seams riveted or interlocked, and shall 
have a ventilating pipe of metal with riveted or interlocked joints 
venting, when possible, into an independent flue. Such vent pipe 


♦(Metal supporting bars must be provided for arches of man¬ 
tels and mantels must be well bonded to backing. Solid mortar 
joint between mantel and backing is required.) 




96 


THE BUILDING CODE 


shall be at least 12 inches from any unprotected woodwork, un¬ 
less provided with double colllar of galvanized iron with a 3- 
inch air space. Wherever passing through a floor into a room 
above, such collar shall extend 6'0" above the floor and 6" below 
the ceiling. 

SECTION 550. Every steel range in hotels or restaurants, 
and all steam boilers not exceeding 10 horsepower, furnaces, 
ovens, coffee roasters and other structures in which fires . are 
maintained, when set over a wooden floor, shall be set in 1%-ineh 
“T ,; Irons, resting on one solid layer of brick laid flat 
with cement mortar, or on three inches of concrete. No such 
structure shall be set within 12 inches of any unprotected wood¬ 
work, and the floor in front of fire boxes shall be protected 
with a sheet of metal not less than 3 feet 0 inches wide, and at 
least 3 feet 0 inches longer than the width of the fire box. 

SECTION 551. Every brick range when sot over a wooden 
floor shall rest on a foundation of not less than three layers 
of hollow brick set in cement mortar. If built against a wood¬ 
en or plastered frame partition or wall, the back of the range 
shall be 12 inches thick to the top of the range, and shall ex¬ 
tend 4 inches thick to at least 2 feet 0 inches above the top 
of the range. The floor in front of the fire box shall be pro¬ 
tected with sheet metal not less than .3 feet 0 inches wide and 
at least 3 feet 0 inches longer than the width of the fire box. 

SECTION 552. All shelves over ranges shall be of metal 
on metal brackets. All heating stoves shall be at least 2 feet 
0 inches from any unprotected woodwork, wood lath and plas¬ 
ter or other combustible material; or any such combustible mat¬ 
ter or other combustible material or an such combustible material 
with 2 feet 0 inches of the stove shall be protected with sheet 
metal shield leaving at least one inch of air space between the 
shield and the exposed woodwork, and such heating stove shall rest 
upon a metal covered board extending not less than 1 foot 0 inches 
in front of the stove. 

WOODWORK PROTECTED. 

SECTION 553. All burners or heaters on all gas, oil or 
electric apparatus or appliances, including stoves and plates, 
shall be at least four inches from any woodwork, or other 
combustible material, and all such material within 8 inches 
shall be protected as may be directed by the Superintendent 
of Buildings. 

SECTION 554. All woodwork subject to spattering grease 
shall be covered with metal. All gas connections shall be of solid 
iron pipe or flexible metallic tubing. Every gas heated candy gettle 
shall have gas connections of solid pipe. The burners shall be not 
less than 10 inches from any woodwork. The kettle shall rest upon 
3-16 inch sheet iron if over wooden floor. 

Every kettle using coal or coke fuel must be at least 3 
feet 0 inches from unprotected woodwork, and must be set on 
incombustible floor or on wood flooring protected by heavy sheet 
iron extending 12 inches beyond the sides and 2 feet 0 inches in 
front of the kettle. The kettle shall rest upon two layers of hol¬ 
low brick, laid in cement mortar. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


97 


BOILERS AND BOILER ROOMS. 

SECTION 555. Steam boilers exceeding 10 horsepower, 
if placed upon any floor above the cellar, shall be supported 
on floors of masonry. Every steam boiler shall be provided 
with a tank of sufficient capacity to hold a supply of water 
for such boiler for at least six hours. 

SECTION 556. Every boiler room in any building, other 
than a dwelling, shall be enclosed with fireproof or incombust¬ 
ible stud partitions, and have a floor and ceiling of like con¬ 
struction. All openings between said boiler room and other 
parts of the building in which it is placed shall be provided 
with automatic self-closing fireproof doors. 

SMOKE HOUSES. 

SECTION 557. All smoke houses shall be of fireproof 
construction. Ventilators' shall be provided at or near the top 
and guards not less than 3 feet 0 inches above the fire bed 
sufficient to prevent the meats from falling into the fire. All 
openings from smoke houses shall be fireproof openings, pro¬ 
tected by automatic fire doors or shutters. 

DRY ROOMS. 

SECTION 558. Every dry room and enclosure used for 
drying by artificial heat shall be enclosed by fireproof or in¬ 
combustible stuff partitions, with a floor and ceiling of like 
construction, and shall be provided with a fireproof door; or 
shall be lined throughout with tin or abestos paper % inch 
thick. Such dry room or enclosure shall have wire netting of 
not more than one-inch mesh, so placed as to prevent any con¬ 
tact between inflammable materials and the steam or heating 
pipes, stoves or other heaters. 

SHAVINGS, VAULTS. 

SECTION 559. Every building in the First, Second or 
Third Building District, used wholly or partly as a planing, 
shingle or saw mill; a sash, door or blind factory;, or a wood¬ 
working factory or shop; and every such building in which 
shavings, sawdust, excelsior, straw, hay, loose paper or similar in¬ 
flammable material is used for packing purposes, shall have a 
vault room of sufficient size to contain the same. All such 
inflammable material shall be removed from such premises to 
such vault room at the close of each day’s work. 

Such vault room shall be enclosed in fireproof partitions with 
floor and ceiling of like construction, or in case the same con¬ 
tains less than 400 cubic feet of space, such vault room may 
have walls, floors and ceilings, or either of them, constructed of 
not less than two thicknesses of matched dry lumber with broken 
joints, with a total thickness of not less than 2% inches. Said 
wood construction shall be covered on both sides with sheet 
metal -with lock joints. 

All openings to such vault room shall be closed by ap- 


98 


THE BUILDING CODE 


proved self-closing fireproof doors: Such doors shall be kept 
closed at all times except when such material is being placed in 
or removed from such vault. 

PART VI. MEANS OF EGRESS. 

GENERAL. 

SECTION 601. All buildings shall be provided with good 
safe and sufficient means of egress in case of fire or panic. Such 
means of egress from floors not at grade shall be by means of 
open or enclosed service stairways, fireproof tower stairways, 
fire escapes, fire escape ladders, through adjoining buildings, or 
other equivalent means approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings. Besides the means of egress hereinafter provided, 
there may be required such, additional means of egress as are 
necessary to provide good, safe and sufficient means of escape. 
There shall be at least one means., of egress for each division 
between division walls. 

All required means of egress and all Squired or necessary 
approaches thereto shall be kept free from obstruction and all 
such required or necessary approaches shall be at least equal in 
width to the required width of the means of egress which they 
serve. 

The following requirements of this Part relating to stairs 
do not apply to dwellings and buildings appurtenant thereto except 
as specifically provided. 

STAIRS. 

SECTION 602. Every building two stories in height from 
the lowest street or alley grade shall be provided with at least 
one. stairway. 

Every building three stories in height from the lowest street 
or alley grade shall be provided with at least one stairway and 
one public fire escape ladder. 

Every building more than three stories in height from the 
lowest street or alley grade, hereafter erected or altered to the 
extent of more than 50 per cent of its original cost, shall be pro¬ 
vided with at least one stairway and at least one fire escape 
constructed as hereinafter provided. In factories, workshops, 
stores, places of habitation, refuge and detention over two 
stories high, additional fire escape stairways, fire escape ladders, 
fireproof tower stairways, or open service stairways shall be 
provided sufficient in number and so located that from every 
room or connected suite of rooms there shall be at least two of 
the above mentioned means of egress available without passing 
any open stairway, elevator pit, or open light well. One of 
such means of egress available from any room or connected suite 
of rooms may be a private fire escape available only for the 
occupants of such room or connected suite of rooms. 

The means of egress from towers shall be good, safe and 
sufficient and the number, location, construction and enclosures 
of such means of egress shall comply with such reasonable 
regulations as the Superintendent of Buildings may prescribe. 

SECTION 603. Every fireproof building used as a hotel 
or office building shall have one flight of stairs for each 8,000 


THE BUILDING CODE 


99 


square feet or fraction thereof of second floor area. Every 
fireproof building used as a store, warehouse, factory or work¬ 
shop shall have one flight of stairs for each 10,000 square feet of 
the second floor area or fraction thereof. 

In every fireproof hotel, store, factory or workshop where 
the number of stairways required is one, and the second floor 
area is over 3,500 square feet, then the building shall be pro¬ 
vided with at least two fire escapes. 

SECTION 604. Every nonfireproof building used as a hotel, 
office building, store, warehouse, factory or workshop shall have 
one flight of stairs for the first 3.500 square feet of second 
floor area and one additional flight of stairs for any added area 
within the first 10,000 square feet of second floor area, and an 
additional flight for each additional 10,000 square feet of the 
second floor area or fraction thereof. 

Provided, however, that two-story warehouses constructed on 
the waterfront and used for the storage and shipping of freight, 
merchandise and commodities in which the number of men em¬ 
ployed on the second floor shall not exceed two persons for each 
1,000 square feet of floor area, and which project wholly or in 
part over the water shall have not less than one flight of stairs 
for every 14,400 square feet or fraction thereof of the second 
floor area. In no case shall such building if exceeding 3,500 
square feet in second floor area have less than two stairways, 
and there shall not be less than one stairway in each fire div¬ 
ision of each building between fire walls; and stairways shall be 
enclosed as hereinafter provided for buildings over two stories 
in height and shall terminate at an exit to a street, alley or 
yard; provided that in such buildings of smaller area, the means 
of egress shall be as approved by the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings. 

SECTION 605. In fireproof office buildings when the num¬ 
ber of stairs required is but 2, then an open service stairway may 
be omitted if the other stairway is fireproof enclosed to a street, 
alley or yard and if the building is provided with 2 fire escapes 
located as approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

In fireproof office buildings when the number of stairs re¬ 
quired is 3 or more and in non-fireproof hotels and office build¬ 
ings when the number required is 4 or more, then one open 
service stairway may be omitted if another required service 
stairway is fireproof enclosed to a street, alley or yard and the 
building provided with not less than 2 fire escapes in any case. 

In all buildings required to have 2 or more open or 

enclosed stairways, one may be replaced by one fireproof tower 
stairway as herein defined. In all buildings having 2 or more 
open service stairways or 2 or more stairways enclosed 

from the top to the second floor, then one of such stairways 
may have its width and dimensions of its risers and treads 
as required of enclosed tower stairways. In such buildings 
one tower stairway or one fireproof enclosed service stairway 
may replace 2 fire escapes, if the means of egress are then 

good, safe and sufficient. A tower stairway may be replaced 
by a fireproof enclosed service stairway. 

In any building a required fire escape may be omitted 
if an additional stairway is provided beyond the required 


100 


THE BUILDING CODE 


number. In any building 2 required fire escapes nfay be omitted 
if an enclosed stairway is provided beyond the required number, 
satisfactory to the Superintendent of Buildings. 

In any non-fireproof building used as a warehouse or 
office building having a second floor area of 6,000 square feet 
.or less and which is required to have 2 stairways, then one of 
the required stairways may be omitted if the building is 
provided with 2 fire escapes. 

Where 2 areas of the same building adjoins and are sepa¬ 
rated by fireproof dividing walls and have 2 stairways each, 
they may have a stairway in common, provided such stairway 
is not less than iy 2 times the required width of any required 
stairway in such adjoining areas; and further provided that such 
common stairway is enclosed with fireproof partitions having 
approved fireproof openings. When such common stairway is 
used then one stairway from each of the adjoining areas may be 
omitted, but in no case shall there then be less than one other 
stairway in each of such adjoining areas. 

When adjoining buildings or buildings on opposite sides of 
an alley or other open space, and of the same class, and used 
by the same person, are connected by a fireproof bridge or 
passageway with fireproof doors at each end, or by a fireproof 
door on each floor; and if such bridge or passageway or fire¬ 
proof door is located as far as practicable from the stairway in 
both of said buildings, then said bridge or passage way or fire¬ 
proof door may be considered equivalent to a stairway for one 
of the buildings. 

All fire escapes except one may be omitted provided that one 
of every 2 stairways required in a building is constructed 
throughout of iron, steel or masonry, or a combination of these 
materials, and with risers, treads and landings as required for 
tower stairways, but is built on the outside of the building and 
has an entrance on every floor from a masonry or iron or steel 
balcony or loggia free and open to the outside air, and where 
all stair halls, elevator shafts and other openings through the 
floor from the ground entrance to the roof in the interior of the 
building are enclosed in fireproof walls with approved self¬ 
closing, fireproof doors. 

SECTION 606. Every fireproof building used as a place of 
habitation, refuge or detention except hotels shall have not 
less than one flight of stairs at least the minimum width here¬ 
inafter provided, for the first 50 rooms above the ground floor 
exclusive of toilet rooms and kitchenettes, and 2 such flights for 
the first 140 such rooms and one additional flight for each ad¬ 
ditional 140 such rooms or major fraction thereof. 

Every non-fireproof building used for such purposes except 
hotels shall have at least one flight of stairs of'the minimum 
width hereinafter provided, for any minor fraction of the first 
80 rooms above the ground floor exclusive of toilet rooms and 
kitchenettes, and 2 such flights for any major fraction thereof, 
and an additional flight for each additional 80 such rooms or 
major fraction thereof. 

If the fractional part of the said 140 rooms or the 80 
additional rooms does not exceed half these numbers respective¬ 
ly, the additional fight of stairs may be omitted if the sum of 


THE BUILDING CODE 


101 


the width of all stairways otherwise required and halls leading 
thereto be increased by % the width of such additional fliglit. 

Each room or suite of rooms in any place of habitation, 
refuge or detention shall have available for egress not less 
than 2 stairways or one stairway and one fire escape without 
passing any open stair well, elevator shaft or light shaft. When 
the entrance to such room or suite of rooms is within 20'0" of 
a fireproof enclosed stairway or is on a stub-hall and not 
more than 20'0" from a main hall having the required means of 
egress, then such room or suite of rooms may have but one 
means of egress provided not more than 3 such entrances shall 
be placed on such stub-hall. 

SECTION 607. Every non-fireproof dwelling exceeding 2 
stories in height shall have 2 flights of stairs if there be 10 
and not more than 20 rooms above the first story and an addi¬ 
tional flight if there be more than 20 such rooms. A fire¬ 
proof dwelling may have one less flight of stairs than is re¬ 
quired for a non-fireproof dwelling. 

SECTION 608. Every cellar or basement used for the stor¬ 
age of combustible materials, or containing boilers or mach¬ 
inery in operation or used for any purpose producing an equiv¬ 
alent fire hazard, shall have 2 means of egress, one of which 
must be direct to a street, alley or yard and may consist of a 
stationary ladder. ' Every cellar or basement shall hav6 a 
stairway at least 3'0" wide for the- first 7,500 square feet or 
fraction thereof and one additional stairway for each additional 
7,500 square feet or major fraction thereof. At least one stair¬ 
way shall open direct onto a street, alley or yard. 

SECTION 609. Every building 2 or more stories high shall 
have at least one of the required stairways extend from the 
ground floor to the top floor. 

Any fireproof office building, hotel, store, warehouse, fac¬ 
tory or workshop in which more than 2 stairways are required 
may have % or the minor fraction of the required number of 
the stairways, which extend from the top downward, stop at 
the second floor, . provided other satisfactory means of egress 
are supplies from the second flood. 

Stairways shall be continuous from the top of the stair¬ 
way to the bottom, except that in % or the minor fraction of 
the required number of stairs extending to the ground floor, 
offsets of not more than 40'0" may be allowed at the second 
floor; and at the top floor in stairways extending to the roof, 
provided such offsets are enclosed by a direct passageway. 

SECTION 615. Stairways in fireproof buildings shall be of 
fireproof materials, except hand rails, window stools and treads 
to balcony stairs elsewhere provided. Treads and platforms 
covered with natural or artificial stone, shall have such stone 
when, less than 2 inches thick, supported- throughout by metal 
sufficiently strong to carry temporarily the stone and the prob¬ 
able live load in case of breakage by fire or otherwise. 

Stairway anchors and supports shall be of such strength 
as to sustain with safety the loads of the stairways which 
they carry. 


102 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 616. In all stairways there shall be at least 
7'0" of clear head room measured perpendicularly from the 
nosings. 

The width of stairs shall be taken -as the distance in the 
clear, between walls, hand rails, newel posts or other obstruc¬ 
tions. In all buildings, stairs and public halls used as means of 
egress shall be at least 3'6" wide and every hall shall be at 
least 6 inches wider than the widest door swinging into it. 
In all office buildings and hotels over 10 stories in height, every 
required stairway in the lower 10 stories shall be increased one 
inch in width throughout for each additional story. In all 
stores, workshops and factories over 8 stories in height every 
stairway in the lower 8 stories shall be increased one inch in 
width throughout for each additional story. In all places of 
habitation, refuge or detention over 6 stories in height every 
stairway in the lower 6 stories shall be increased one inch in 
width throughout, for each additional story. 

When 2 or more stairways are required, not more than 14 
the number of such stairways may be made 6 inches less than 
the required width, provided the remaining stairways are made 
6 inches more than the required width. 

Stairs in hospitals, asylums, and buildings for housing the 
aged, the sick and infirm, imbeciles, or children shall be 25 per 
cent, wider than herein required. 

SECTION 617. The height of a riser plus the width of a 
tread shall be not less than 16 inches nor more than 23 inches; 
provided that the width of treads in stairs serving at times a 
hundred or more persons shall be not less than 10 inches. 

The height of- a riser is the distance between the tops of 
two^ consecutive treads. The width of a tread is the distance 
between the. faces of two consecutive risers. The dimensions 
of treads and risers shall be maintained uniform in each run of 
stairs. The height of risers shall in no case exceed the width 
of tread, except as provided for fire proof tower stairs. 

Winders when used shall meet the approval of the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings and comply with the following require¬ 
ments: The width of risers and treads in winders shall be taken 
at a point 1'3" from their narrow ends. The narrow ends of 
treads shall be not less than 5 inches in width and the wide 
ends not more than 30 inches in width. The inside stair string 
of winders shall be built on a radius of not less than 7% 
inches. Wide, easy monumental stairs having curved risers and 
treads may be constructed on a large radius if equivalent to 
or better than straight stairs and if approved by the Superin¬ 
tendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 618. There shall be not less than 2 risers nor 
more than 20 risers between, consecutive landings in buildings. 
Every landing not forming a turn in the stairway shall be at 
least 3' 0". Every landing forming a right angle turn in a 
stairway shall be as deep as the stairs are wide. Every land¬ 
ing where stairs turn upon themselves shall be at least equal to 
both flights in width and equal to one flight in depth. The 
depth of landings at the top and bottom of enclosed stairs shall 
be 14 greater than the width of the stairs and 14 greater than 
the width of any door opening onto the same. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


103 


Doors shall not swing over landings in a manner to reduce 
any dimensions of such landings in places of public assembly and 
shall not swing over landings in any other building more than 
% of th required width of the adjoining stairs. No doors shall 
swing over stairs. 

SECTION 619. All stairways of more than 3 risers shall 
have substantial balusters and hand rails around all well holes 
and along all sides of flights and landings not adjoining walls. 

All stairways in or leading to places of public assembly, 
public buildings, places of refuge and detention and all stair¬ 
ways over 4' 0" wide in all other buildings shall have hand 
rails on both sides, except that on landings of greater length 
than the width of the adjoining stairs in buildings other than 
places of public assembly, a wall rail will not be required. 

FIREPROOF TOWER STAIRS. 

SECTION 620. Every fireproof tower stairway used as a 
means of egress shall be constructed next to an exterior wall and 
not more than 30' 0" from a street or alley line, and shall open 
directly upon a street or alley or into a fireproof passageway 
leading directly to such street or alley, which passageway shall 
be not less than 3' 0" in width and 7' 0" in height in the clear. 
There shall be no openings through the walls of such passage¬ 
way except fireproof openings approved by the Superintendent 
of buildings. 

Such stairways shall be enclosed throughout their entire 
height by masonry walls not less than 4 inches thick, or by 
other approved fireproof partitions, and all windows of such 
enclosures shall be fireproof. 

There shall be at each floor a fireproof door not less than 
2' 6" wide and 6' 0" high, opening from a public hall or pass¬ 
ageway into the stairway. The lower door of such stairway 
shall open outward upon the street or into the fireproof pass¬ 
ageway above mentioned. 

All doors in connection with fireproof tower stairways shall 
be kept closed and shall be provided with approved self-closing 
devices, which shall at all times be kept in good repair. No such 
door leading into a fireproof stairway shall have attached thereto 
.or connected therewith any fastening device that cannot be 
easily opened from the inside of the building into such stair¬ 
way without a key. No lower door leading out of such stair¬ 
way shall have attached thereto or connected therewith any 
fastening device that cannot be easily opened from the inside 
without a key. 

Every such stairway shall lead from the street or alley 
floor to the roof of the building, and - shall be not less than 
2' 6" wide in the clear from the roof to the sixth floor from 
the top and not less than 3' 0" wide in the clear from the sixth 
floor from the top to the street or alley floor. The landings 
shall be not less in width than the width of the stairs at each 
floor, and of sufficient width to prevent the door when open from 
obstructing the stairs or landing. Every fireproof tower stair¬ 
way shall have a run of not less than 7 inches and a rise of not 
more' than 9 inches, and shall be provided with a continuous 
hand rail on both. sides, except at doorways. Such hand rails 


104 


THE BUILDING CODE 


steps. Said stairs and landings shall be constructed throughout 
of incombustible materials. 

SECTION 625. Every building over 3 stories high, except 
fireproof office buildings, required to have but 2 stairways, shall 
have at least one stairway enclosed from the second floor to the 
top of the stairway at the top floor or roof; ^nd shall 
have such additional stairway enclosures as are hereinafter re¬ 
quired. 

STAIRWAY ENCLOSURES. 

SECTION 626. Stairway enclosures in fireproof buildings 
shall be fireproof and in non-fireproof buildings shall be fireproof 
or non-fireproof as hereinafter required. 

Stairways adjoining elevator shafts shall be separated from 
such shafts by fireproof partitions. 

Stairways in all fireproof buildings and in non-fireproof 
buildings over 3 stories in height, used as stores, warehouses, 
factories or workshops shall be enclosed with fireproof walls or 
partitions. In non-fireproof' buildings 3 stories or less in height 
used for such purposes, stairway enclosures may be built of 2 
thicknesses of vertically placed 1%-inch matched lumber, with 
30-lb. asbestos paper between, and with broken joints; or may 
be built as required of partitions in mill buildings. 

SECTION 627. Every stairway leading to an upper story 
u$ed as a place of public assembly, or place of habitation, refuge 
or detention, and passing through a first story used for a differ¬ 
ent purpose shall be enclosed from the top of the stairway to a 
street, alley or yard. Such enclosures shall be fireproof from 
the bottom to the top of the second floor level if in buildings 
more than 3 stories high. Such enclosures in non-fireproof build¬ 
ings not more than 3 stories, may be built of 2 thickness of 
vertically placed 1%-inch lumber, with 30-lb. asbestos paper be¬ 
tween, and with broken joints, as required of partitions in mill 
buildings. 

SECTION 628. In places of public assembly, and places of 
habitation, refuge or detention there shall be no doors opening 
from the first story stair enclosure into a store, saloon or other 
room of a different class of occupancy than that of the floors 
above, excepting offices used in connection with the upper floors 
and enclosed as provided for stair enclosures, and not con¬ 
nected with the remainder of the first story. Provided that in 
first story entrance halls containing stairs in fireproof hotels 
there may be approved metal or metal covered self-closing doors 
if glazed with wire glass and set in metal frames. 

SECTION 629. Stairways from basements or cellars lead¬ 
ing direct to a street, alley or yard shall not be required to be 
enclosed. Stairways to basements or cellars in school buildings 
or buildings containing places of public assembly or to any 
basement used for the storage or sale of combustible goods, or 
containing a boiler in operation, or used for any purpose pro¬ 
ducing an equivalent fire hazard, shall be enclosed with fire¬ 
proof walls or partitions extending to the top of the ground 
floor; provided that in any division of a fireproof store build¬ 
ing having fire walls as required for buildings other than stores. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


105 


one open stairway from the ground floor to basement may be pro¬ 
vided in addition to the required stairways, subject to approval 
by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

There shall be no stairway leading to a basement from any 
required fireproof stairway • nclosure in the ground story unless 
approved self-closing fireproof doors separate the ground story 
>tairway enclosure from the basement stairway enclosure. There 
shall be no stairway to a basement under any flight of stairs 
in a building containing a place of public assembly unless said 
basement stairway is separately enclosed with a masonry wall 
or other fireproof partition with openings therefrom provided 
with approved, self-closing fireproof doors. 

SECTION 630. In buildings over 3 stories in height, the 
required stairway enclosures shall include stair halls connecting 
successive runs of stairs. At the ground floor not less than one such 
enclosure and not less than half the required number of en¬ 
closures shall terminate at an exit or exits to a street, alley 
or yard; provided that when the required number is a fraction 
the number required so to terminate shall be the nearest lower 
number. Such enclosures leading to exits shall be constructed 
as required of the adjoining stair enclosures, except that in 
fireproof office buildings the main hall immediately surrounding 
the stairs and the elevators may have the sash and doors of 
such main hall of hardwood glazed with wire glass, or with 
plate glass when the class of occupancy of the adjoining store or 
shop window is such as to minimize the fire hazard to a degree 
approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. 


OPENINGS IN STAIRWAY ENCLOSURES. 

SECTION 631. All interior doors in required stair enclos¬ 
ures shall be hung to remain closed at all times, and may be 
held open if provided with approved devices which shall 
insure automatic closing at a temperature of 165° Fahrenheit. 
Such doors shall be fireproof in fireproof enclosures, and in non- 
fireproof enclosures shall be of a construction equivalent to the 
enclosure. 

Doors to enclosures shall not be fastened except in such 
manner that they can be readily opened by any person seeking 
egress without the use of a key. 

SECTION 632. All interior, sash in required stairway enclos¬ 
ures except in frame buildings, shall be of metal frames fixed in 
position. The metal shall be riveted or clinched and in no case 
dependent upon solder. Sash in all required stair enclosures 
shall be glazed with wire glass in fights not exceeding 6 square 
feet in area each; provided that glass in exit enclosures is not 
limited as to size. 

SECTION 633. Exit doors from the bottom .of stairways 
shall, either singly or in the aggregate, be at least equal in 
width to the stairs they serve; and shall, when serving as .exits 
from places of public assembly, swing outward. 


106 


THE BUILDING CODE 


STAIR HALLS. 

SECTION 634. Entrance stair halls shall be at least as wide 
as the stairs or the aggregate width of same if more than one 
flight leads from, the same entrance hall. All entrance halls 
leading to stairways shall be as short as practicable from such 
stairways to a public street, alley or yard. 

SECTION 635. Every public hall shall be lighted in each 
story except the ground story by at least one window, having 
a glass area of at least 15 square feet, opening directly on a 
street, alley, yard or court, and so placed as properly to light 
the hall; or shall be lighted by equivalent skylights or by 
equivalent borrowed light through glass in walls or doors of ad¬ 
joining rooms or the ceiling of such hall, and such hall shall have 
an adequate artificial light for night service while the build¬ 
ing is occupied. Any part of a public hall which is shut off 
from any_ part by a door or doors shall be deemed a separate 
public hall within the meaning of this section. 


FIRE ESCAPES. 

SECTION 640. All fire escapes shall be kept clear of all 
obstruction whatsoever. Every public fire escape ladder or fire 
escape shall open directly from a hall or passageway to the outer 
wall of the building. A door or window shall open onto each fire 
escape in the building. In buildings not over six stories high, 
used for office or business purposes in which no one sleeps ex¬ 
cept the janitor and his family, such fire escape ladder or fire 
escape may be located in such a manner and position as to make 
the same easily and readily accessible through some passage or 
open room leading thereto from the main hallways. The door 
of such room shall have no lock or bolt or other device where¬ 
by the same can be fastened; or such door may have a fastening 
device provided the door contains a full sized glass panel extend¬ 
ing to within 2' 6" of the floor and provided such fastening de¬ 
vice can be readily opened from the outside after the glass is 
broken. 


SECTION 641. No door or window leading to a fire escape 
shall have attached thereto or connected therewith any bolt 
lock, catch or other fastening device that cannot be easily 
opened from the inside without a key, and no door or window 
leading to a fire escape shall be so constructed that when open 
it can obstruct any part of the fire escape or balcony. Every 
door opening onto a fire escape shall be glazed so that the fire 
escape can be seen from the inside. 

No window < or door leading to a fire escape shall have a sill 
more than 24 inches above the floor or an opening less than 
30 inches high and 24 inches wide in the clear. S 

In every case where a fire escape passes a window in an 
elevator shaft or other shaft, such window shall consist of a 
metal fram.e and sash and wire glass. 


SEGTHDN 642. All fire escape ladders and stairway fire 
escapes shall be constructed entirely of wrought iron and steel. 

All exterior fire escapes, including balconies, hand rails and 


THE BUILDING CODE 


107 


grille work, shall at all times be kept painted with an effective 
paint to prevent rusting. 

SECTION 643. Every fire escape ladder shall have side 
rails % inch by 1% inch placed not less than 14 inches apart, 
and rounds % inch in diameter, placed 14 inches apart and 
passing through the side rails and well headed. 

The ladder shall extend from a point 9' 0" above the ground 
to a point over and 2' 0" above the fire wall and shall be paral¬ 
lel with and not less than 6" from the wall of the building. 
Where the first balcony is more that 12' 0" from the ground 
and is so situated that a fixed ladder would interfere with 
doors and windows below, the ladder below said balcony may 
be a hinged or other suitable form of extension. 

SECTION 644. A balcony not less than 2' 6" wide and 
extending the full width of the window or door and width of 
the ladder space, shall be constructed on each floor at each 
ladder, with floor strong enough to carry a load of 100 pounds to 
the square foot. Such floor, in case the opening from the 
building is a doorway, shall be on the level with the sill of the 
door, and in case the opening is a window shall be V 0" below 
the window sill. Ladder openings in floors of balconies shall 
not be less than 20" by 24". 

SECTION 645. The floor rail of every balcony shall be of 
% inch by 2 inch wrought iron or its equivalent, and shall be 
supported by braces % inch by 2 inches. The hand rail of 
balcohy shall be made of iron or steel not less than y 2 inch by 
iy 2 inches, or of angle iron of equal strength securely fastened 
together and to the wall. Such hand rail shall' be not less than 
3' 0" above the floor of the balcony, and braced every 5' 0" 
with braces extending not less than 4" outside the uprights. The. 
space from the hand rail to the floor shall be filled with grille 
work or additional rails and uprights. 

^SECTION 646. All ladders and balconies, including brack 
ets and hand rails, shall be securely fastened to masonry build¬ 
ings by means of bolts or rods at least % inch in diameter, 
running through the entire thickness of the wall, and fastened 
on the inside with nuts or heads over 4 inch washers. On 
frame buildings such ladders and balconies shall be fastened to 
studs by means of lag bolts or wood screws at least y 2 inch in 
diameter and 4 inches long, and shall be of sufficient strength to 
sustain a live load of 100 pounds to the square foot. 

SECTION 647. Every fire escape shall lead from within 9 
feet of the ground to the top floor, and shall have a fire escape 
ladder from the top floor to 2 feet above and over the fire wall; 
provided that where a fire escape is over an alley the lower 
balcony shall be placed not less than 12 feet above the ground 
and a fire escape ladder shall extend from five feet above the 
lower balcony to within 9 feet of the ground. 

SECTION 648. Such fire escapes shall be not less than 2 
feet 0 inches wide in the clear, and shall be provided with 

* (Bolts or screws used to fasten fire escapes either to frame 
or masonry walls must be galvanized or painted before in¬ 
stallation.) 



108 


THE BUILDING CODE 


balconies 4 feet 2 inches wide at each floor level. Such bal¬ 
conies shall be not more than 12 feet no inches apart perpendi¬ 
cularly when practicable and shall be placed and constructed as 
required for ladder balconies except that the bolts securing the 
brackets to the wall shall be at least % inch in diameter, and 
the entire outer side of the fire escape and balconies from the 
top to the bottom shall be protected with wire netting of 3/16 
inch wire, or strong grille work having a mesh of not greater 
than 6 inches, or by sheet or plate iron or steel, built 4 feet 
0 inches above the balcony floor and 4 feet 0 inches perpendicul¬ 
arly above the outer edge of the steps of the stairs, and every 
such stairway shall also have a strong hand rail on the inner 
side 3 feet 0 inches perpendicularly above the center of the 
steps. 

SECTION 649. Treads of fire escapes shall be not less than 
6Y 2 inches' wide and risers shall be not more than 12 inches 
high. Stringers for stairs shall be of 6 inch steel channels 
weighing not less than 8 pounds per foot, or steel plates 6 inches 
by 14 inch each, stiffened by a 2 : yx2 1 / 2 x% inch steel angle, 
riveted to stringer with not less than y 2 inch rivets, spaced not 
more than 6 inches from center to center. The stringers shall 
be riveted or bolted to the framing of the platform. 

Treads shall be formed of five y 2 inch iron bars, or of 
diapered steel plates securely fastened to stringers with two 
bolts or rivets at each end of treads. 

SECTION 650. Eire escape stairways shall be securely fas¬ 
tened to the balconies and each shall be of sufficient strength to 
sustain safely a live load of 100 pounds to the square foot. 

FIRE ESCAPE PLACARDS. 

SECTION 651. The owner or agent of any building more 
than two stories in height from the lowest street or alley grade, 
used or occupied as a hotel, lodging house, apartment house, 
tenement or flat building shall at all times keep conspicuously 
posted in every room and hallway of such building when used 
as a hotel or lodging house, and in every public hall of such 
building when used or occupied as an apartment house, tene¬ 
ment house or flat building, a white placard not less than 4x6 
inches, printed in red in conspicuous type, giving full informa¬ 
tion as to the location of each fire escape in such building and 
the means of reaching the same and directions to be observed 
by tenants in the event of fire on the premises and distinctly 
stating that a red light indicates the location of a fire 
escape. 

SECTION 652. The owner or agent of any building more 
than two stories in height from the lowest street or alley 
grade, used or occupied as a hotel, lodging house, apartment 
house, tenement house or flat building, shall cause to be placed 
and maintained at the end of each hall leading to or at the 
entrance of each room through which it is necessary to pass in 
order to reach any fire escape, a red light, which shall always 
be kept burning at night and which shall be on a separate ser¬ 
vice. He shall also cause to be posted and maintained on the 
door of every room through which it is necessary to pass to 


THE BUILDING CODE 


109 


reach any fire escape a conspicuous notice directing persons to 
pass through such door for the purpose of reaching the fire 
escape. 

SCUTTLES AND LADDERS. 

SECTION 653. Every building two or more stories in 
height having a roof with a rise not exceeding 5 inches to the 
foot, shall have in every portion thereof between division walls 
at least one scuttle not less than 2 feet 0 inches by 3 feet 0 
inches in dimensions with a stationary ladder leading thereto 
from the top floor; or at least one stairway leading from the 
top floor to a pent house, having a door not less than 2 feet 
0 inches by 6 feet no inches in dimensions, which stairway, 
if enclosed, shall be provided with substantial hand rails, and if not 
enclosed shall be provided with substantial guards or hand 
rails on both sides. All ladders and stairways shall be of such 
materials as are allowed in the class of buildings in which they 
are constructed. 

Every such ladder or stairway shall lead out of a public 
hall if the top floor is divided into rooms. 

Every scuttle cover and pent house door on buildings having 
incombustible roofs as required shall be of incombustible mater¬ 
ial, or shall be covered with tin or galvanized iron. Such covers 
and doors shall be fastened on the inside only, with a mov¬ 
able hook or bolt which can be withdrawn without the use of a 
key. 

SECTION 660. Elevator installations shall be good, safe 
and sufficient and shall be designed, constructed and installed ao^ 
ording to accepted mechanical engineering practice. Such installa¬ 
tions shall be suitable and complete, including the elevator enclos¬ 
ures, gates, shafts, machinery, cabs, cables, counterweights, sup¬ 
ports, safety devices, controlling appliances and. all other parts or 
appurtenances connected therewith. 

Elevators in dwellings are not required to comply with 
the provisions of this Code relating to elevators. 

The provisions of this Code relating to elevators having a 
run of not more than two stories shall apply only as deemed 
reasonably applicable by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

ELEVATOR ENCLOSURES. 

SECTION 661. Every elevator shaft below the first floor 
level shall be enclosed with masonry or other fireproof walls 
and shall be provided with approved self-closing fireproof doors. 
When the elevator machine is located, in the basement and projects 
out of the elevator shaft, an opening may be left in the shaft wall 
provided the room enclosing the engine is entirely enclosed by 
fireproof walls having approved self-closing fireproof doors and 
windows. 

SECTION 662. Every elevator shaft above the first floor 
level in fireproof buildings shall b£ enclosed throughout with 
fireproof material and approved fireproof doors. 

SECTION 663. Every elevator shaft abo\% the first floor 
level iji non-fireproof buildings if within 20 feet 0 inches of a 


ELEVATORS 

FREIGHT AND PASSENGER 

Electric, Hydraulic Plunger, Belt-Driven and 
Hand-Power Elevators and Dumbwaiters . . . 

WASHINGTON ELEVATOR COMPANY 

Telephone Elliott 3813 

1710 Fourth Ave. So. SEATTLE, WASH. 

# W. R. HENDREY COMPANY 

SALES ENGINEERS 
Hoge Building SEATTLE 

Elliott 1941 

Electric and Hand Power Cranes 
Chain Hoists and Trolleys Cowan Trucks 

Warehouse Trucks and Trailers 

COMPLETE HANDLING SYSTEMS 


Construction Loans 

We Specialize in Straight 3 Year Loans for Building Purposes 

TITLE TRUST COMPANY 

Second and Columbia 

J. W. MAXWELL W. B. SHOEMAKER G H. DAVIDSON 

President Trust Officer Mgr. Mortgage Dept. 


UNION OIL COMPANY 

OF CALIFORNIA 

Asphalt : Gasoline : Kerosene 

Call Main 1251 

Red Line Brand Lubricating Oils and Greases 


no 










THE BUILDING CODE 


111 


stairway, shall be enclosed with fireproof materials and approved 
fireproof doors. 

Every passenger elevator enclosure in non-fireproof build¬ 
ings, located more than 20 feet 0 inches from a stairway, shall 
be of fireproof construction, or if not exceeding four stories and 
a basement in height may be of solid stud or approved laminated 
plank construction at least 3% inches thick, lined with tin as 
required for the covering of fireproof doors, or plastered on both 
sides with hard plaster % inch thick. In all such cases the en¬ 
closures shall be provided with approved fireproof doors. 

SECTION 664. Every freight elevator shaft and open hoist¬ 
way shall be surrounded with a solid or open wood or metal 
wainscot on all floors, at least 6 feet 0 inches in height and 
shall be provided with a self-closing gate at each approach to 
said - elevator or hoistway arranged to slide vertically. Such 
gate shall be as nearly 5 feet 6 inches high as practicable con¬ 
sidering the ceiling heights and the lower rail shall be as close 
to the floor as possible when the gate is closed and yet provide 
proper headroom. 

The openings through such railing shall not exceed 3 inches 
in their least dimension. 

The openings through such gate shall not exceed 3 inches 
in least dimensions except that sufficient opening may be left to 
give access to the rope control and except when it is impractic¬ 
able to place the lower rail at the floor level. 

SECTION 665. All buildings erected or altered to be used 
as places of habitation, refuge or detention, shall have all 
passenger and freight elevator shafts enclosed throughout with 
fireproof materials and shall be provided with approved fireproof 
openings. 

Every building used as a store, factory or workshop where 
more than 25 persons per freight elevator are employed on each 
jfloor, or where more than 100 persons per freight elevator are 
employed throughout the building, shall have the shafts of such 
freight elevators enclosed throughout with fireproof materials or 
with solid stud or approved laminated plank construction at 
least 3% inches thick, lined with tin as required for the cov¬ 
ering of fireproof doors, or plastered on both sides with hard 
plaster y 2 inch thick. Such shafts shall be provided with ap¬ 
proved fireproof openings. 

DOORS AND WINDOWS IN ELEVATOR ENCLOSURES. 

SECTION 666. Every fireproof enclosure door leading to a 
freight elevator shall be arranged to close automatically when the 
elevator leaves the floor at which said door is located; or such 
door may be fastened open by a fusible link that will fuse at 
a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing the door to 
close automatically, provided the freight elevator or the en¬ 
closure at each floor is equipped with an additional door or gate 
at least 5 feet 6 inches high and built of fireproof materials. 

SECTION 667. Every door and gate to an elevator shaft 
shall always be closed when the elevator leaves the level of the 
floor, or, be so designed that the elevator cannot be started until 
they are closed. 



112 


THE BUILDING CODE 


Every door to any elevator shaft shall be so fastened thah 
it cannot be opened from the outside without the use of a key, 
except that doors to such shafts containing automatic electric 
passenger elevators or automatic electric dumb waiters may be 
opened from the outside. Such doors leading to automatic ele¬ 
vators shall be equipped with devices that will keep all doors 
shut except the door at landing where elevator is stopped, and 
that will keep the elevator stationary while any doors leading 
into the shaft are open. 

SECTION 668. Whenever any elevator shaft adjoins the 
outside walls of the building and windows are provided in 
said wall opening into such shaft, all such windows shall be fire¬ 
proof or of wood with wire glass. Whenever windows are pro¬ 
vided through the inside wall of any elevator shaft such win¬ 
dows shall be of wire glass set in metal frames. 

CLEARANCE IN ELEVATOR SHAFTS. 

SECTION 669. The sides of all elevator shafts containing 
the exits shall be free from dangerous projections and present 
as smooth and even a surface as practicable. The clearance 
between the car and platform and any part of the shaft or en¬ 
closure work shall be not less than %-inch, and the clearance 
between the car platform and the part of the shaft in front of 
the exits shall be not more than iy 2 inches. 

Materials shall not be stored in any elevator shafts. 


ELEVATOR CABS. 

SECTION 670. Every passenger elevator shall have an en¬ 
closed cage at least 6 feet 6 inches high, built of metal, metal 
grille, wire glass, or combination of them. There *shall be a solid 
canopy top, and a solid wainscot not less than 3 feet 6 inches 
high. There shall not be more than one doorway unless approved 
by the Superintendent of Buildings and confirmed by the Board 
of Appeals, and unless the doorways are provided with gates so 
arranged that when one is opened the other will close. In no 
case shall there be more than two doors. 

In every automatic electric passenger elevator the doorway 
in the cage shall be equipped with a door so arranged that it 
will keep the elevator stationary while such door is open. 

When the mesh or openings through 'the grillework of any 
passenger car exceeds 1% inches in their least dimension and 
such grillework is placed within 4 inches of any movable parts 
in the shaft, then such grillework shall be covered with sheet 
metal or a wire screen having a mesh not exceeding y 2 inch in 
its greatest dimension. 

SECTION 671. No freight elevator shall be constructed with 
openings on more than two sides of the platform. Cars of all 
freight elevators shall be substantially enclosed with not less 
than No. 10 Gauge, 1%-inch wire mesh extending to a height of 
6 feet 0 inches on all sides, except on sides facing loading plat¬ 
forms. 

The attachment known as “Baggage Crate” shall not be 
constructed as a part of any elevator. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


113 


ELEVATOR CABLES. 

SECTION 672. Cables on all elevators should be sufficient, 
both in size and number, to carry safely the load such eleva¬ 
tors are designed to carry. 

Every elevator shall have not less than two cables. 

Every cable hoisted passenger elevator shall have at least 
four cables. Every passenger elevator of the ‘ ‘ drum ’ ’ type 
carrying more than 1,500 pounds live load shall be provided with 
at least six cables. No hoisting counterweight cables on any 
elevator having a live load capacity of more than 1,500 pounds, 
excepting those for hand power elevators, shall be of less size 
than %-inch in diameter. 

SECTION 673. Passenger elevators shall be designed to 
carry safely a live load of not less than 75 pounds per square 
foot of floor area in the car. 

Passenger elevators shall be limited to carry one person 
to each two square feet of floor space in the car after allowing 
four square feet for the operator. 

No passenger elevator shall have a platform in which the 
available standing room is greater than that determined by the 
rated capacity of the engine. In hospitals and tenements or 
apartment houses the available room may be increased for the 
handling of large furniture, provided the available standing 
room when used by passengers is maintain d as above required 
by the installation of a hinged and locked seat or similar ap¬ 
proved device* and provided the weight of such furniture does 
not exceed the maximum weight allowed for passengers. 

SECTION 674. The cables used on all passenger elevators 
shall be figured with a safety factor of 8. Cables used on all 
freight elevators shall be figured with a safety factory of 6. 

All cables of the same group shall be so installed and equip¬ 
ped as to bring an equal strain on each of said cables. 

SECTION 675. All eleyator installations which have the 
machinery overhead shall have steel beams to carry the sheaves 
and the machines. 

Every wall, beam, girder and column used for the support 
of elevator sheaves or other elevator machinery shall be made 
strong enough to carry double the amount of the live and dead 
loads of the elevator and its machinery supported thereon with¬ 
out exceeding the safe unit stresses specified in this Code. All 
parts of the machinery of the elevator and appurtenances thereof, 
upon which the safety of the operation of the elevator depends, 
shall be likewise proportioned. The horizontal supports and the 
uprights upon which the elevator machinery and sheave beams are 
carried, shall be of steel or iron, brick or concrete. 

SECTION 676. There shall be provided clear headroom of 
at least 3 feet 0 inches for every passenger elevator and at least 
2 feet 0 inches for every freight elevator between the top of 
the highest point of the car or platform framework and the 
overhead beams when the elevator is at the highest landing of 
its travel. Provided, however, that wherever the speed of any 



114 


THE BUILDING CODE 


passenger elevator exceds 300 fet 0 inches per minute or the speed 
of any freight elevator exceeds 100 feet 0 inches per minute, the 
clear headroom shall be 4 feet 0 inches. 

SECTION 677 When the elevator machinery is placed at 
the top of the shaft there shall be provided a tight and sub¬ 
stantial floor over the beams beneath the machine so as to pre¬ 
vent danger from falling articles; or a substantial iron grating 
or grille sufficiently strong to carry safely a man, shall be placed 
underneath the machine. 

SECTION 678. Every passenger elevator shall have steel 
guide rails. All steel guide rails shall be fastened at least every 
12 feet 0 inches in height or reinforced if the fastenings are 
more than 12 feet 0 inches apart. When guide rails of wood 
are permitted, they shall be so bolted together as to form a con¬ 
tinuous post well supported and of ample strength. All guide 
rails shall have foundations designed to take the maximum 
emergency load. 

(Hardwood guides are permitted in all buildings except fire¬ 
proof buildings for elevators having a run of not over four 
stories.) 


ELEVATOR PITS. 

SECTION 679. Every elevator shaft shall be provided with 
a pit the full size of the shaft and at least 3 feet 0 inches in 
depth below the bottom of the car or platform when such car 
or platform is on a level with the lowest landing of the shaft. 
Provided that where any elevator is installed the speed of 
which exceeds 300 feet 0 inches per minute, a pit of at least 4 
feet 0 inches in depth shall be constructed. 

(For hand-power elevators pits need be only 18" deep.) 

ELEVATOR SAFETY DEVICES. 

SECTION 680. Every passenger elevator shall be fully . 
equipped with efficient devices for safely stopping the car in 
case of accident to the cables or machinery. 

Worm gear machines shall be. provided with automatic stop 
and slack cable shifters. 

Every electric passenger elevator shall have a safety 
switch located in the car to enable the operator to cut off the 
current supply in the motor in case of necessity. Every electric 
passenger elevator shall be equipped with an automatic car 
safety device mounted underneath the platform and connected 
to an automatic speed governor at the top of the shaft; with 
a safety brake and stop motion device on the machine; with 
limit switches in the shaft which automatically stop the engine 
when the car reaches the upper or lower limits of travel. Every 
drum type electric passenger elevator engine shall be equipped 
with a slack cable device to stop the machine in case the car 
meets an obstruction when descending or when the cables become 
loose or slack from any other cause, and such slack cable device 
must be so arranged as to make it necessary to reset it at the 
machine. 

Every hydraulic elevator shall be equipped with an auto¬ 
matic device for stopping the car at the upper and lower limits 


THE BUILDING CODE 


115 


of travel, and every hydraulic machine other than those of the 
Plunger Type shall be equipped with an automatic car safety 
device mounted underneath the platform, the same as herein re¬ 
quired for electric machines. 

Every passenger elevator hereafter altered shall be provided 
with a device to prevent the falling of the car in case of fail¬ 
ure or disarrangement of the machinery and when practicable 
the Superintendent of Buildings may require the installation of 
such other safety device as are herein required for new elevator 
installations. 

SECTION 681. Every passenger elevator shall be provided 
with a safety device that will cause the car to come to a grad¬ 
ual stop within 6 feet 0 inches to 12 feet 0 inches after the 
safety device starts to operate. An increase of not more than 
50 per cent, in the velocity of the car beyond its fixed normal 
velocity shall operate the safety device. 

SECTION 682. Substantial bumpers of elastic materials 
shall be placed at the bottom of all passenger elevator shafts 
except in shafts designed for plunger elevators. Such bumpers 
shall be of such height as to prevent the safety device under the 
car platfrom from striking the bottom of the pit when the car 
rests on the bumpers. 

SECTION 683. Every freight elevator having a run of 
more than one story and having a hand rope controll shall be 
equipped with a hand rope locking device so that the elevator 
cannot be started from any floor except the floor at which the 
elevator is standing. 

SECTION 684. It shall be the duty of the owner or agent 
of any elevator installation to notify the Superintendent of 
Buildings when such installation is completed and ready for test 
or inspection. The contractor installing the elevator machinery 
shall prepare for such test and inspection of the installation as 
hereinafter required without expense to the city. 

SECTION 685. Elevator installations hereafter built or 
materially altered shall not be put into service until after the 
same shall have been tested and approved by the Suprintendent 
of Buildings. 

SECTION 686. ..It shall be the duty of the Superintendent, 
of Buildings at least once in every twelve months to have made 
by a practical elevator inspector an examination of every pass¬ 
enger elevator that is not inspected by a liability company in 
good standing. The Superintendent of Buildings may require the 
owner or agent of any elevator to examine the same and make 
a report of its condition to the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 687. Whenever any elevator or part thereof is 
found by the Superintendent of Buildings to be unsafe, he shall 
close such elevator from service, and may disconnect the power 
supply from such elevator. It shall be unlawful for any person 
to put any such elevator so condemned into service until after 
al defects pertaining thereto shall have been remedied and the 
elevator reinspected. 

Reinspection and approval or disapproval shall not be de¬ 
layed more than six hours after notice is received at the office 


116 


THE BUILDING CODE 


of the Superintendent of Buildings that such elevator is ready 
for inspection. 

SECTION 688. Every passenger elevator shall be tested at 
full speed going up and going down while carrying the maxi¬ 
mum load allowed. 

Every passenger elevator shall be tested by reversing at 
full speed going up and down without live load. Every passen¬ 
ger elevator shall be tested by running at full speed into top and 
bottom limit switches without live load. 

Every passenger elevator shall be tested by cutting it loose 
and allowing it to drop. An increase of not more than 50 per 
cent, in the velocity of the car beyond its fixed normal velocity 
shall operate the safety device and gradually bring the car to a 
stop within 6 feet 0 inches to 12 feet 0 inches after the safety 
device starts to operate. 

Any other reasonable tests necessary to determine whether 
any elevator installation complies with the requirements herein 
prescribed may be required by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 689. Every elevator and all equipment connected 
therewith shall be so installed and proper room shall be so pro¬ 
vided around the same as will permit of the proper care and 
inspection of said elevator and equipment. Every pent house 
shall be provided with a door giving access from the roof. 


USE OF ELEVATORS. 

SECTION 690. Passenger elevators shall be used for pass¬ 
engers only, except as herein provided. Combination passenger 
and freight elevators, commonly known as “Service Elevators,” 
shall not be used for carrying passengers unless such elevators 
are provided with an enclosed cage as required for passenger 
elevators and are equipped with all the safety devices required 
for passenger elevators. Such combination freight and passen¬ 
ger elevators may have two openings if one opening is so ar¬ 
ranged that it must be fastened shut before the elevator can be 
started, but in such case the opening to be used by passengers 
shall be on one side of the elevator only, except as otherwise 
provided for passenger elevator cabs. 

Freight elevators not exceeding a speed of 100 feet 0 inches 
per minute may be used to carry a few employes at a time and 
an occasional passenger, under such regulations as the Superin¬ 
tendent of Buildings may prescribe. 

SECTION 691. During the erection of a building the ele¬ 
vators may be used as construction elevators provided they are 
good, safe and sufficient for such purposes, and provided they 
are protected on every floor with a substantial fence 5 feet 0 
inches high with proper gates. 

SECTION 692. No person under 16 years of age shall 
operate any passenger elevator and no owner or agent shall 
employ or permit any person under the age of 16 years of asre 
to operate any passenger elevator. s 


THE BUILDING CODE 


117 


PART VII. PLACES OF HABITATION. 

MORE DEFINITIONS. 

SECTION 701. .. TENEMENT or APARTMENT HOUSES 
and other places of habitation, refuge and detention shall con¬ 
form to the special requirements contained in this part and with 
all other laws relating to Plumbing, Health and Sanitation, and 
to Buildings in general. 

Places of habitation shall include family residences or 
dwellings, hotels, tenement or apartment houses, flats, boarding 
or lodging houses, dormitories, and clubs. Places of refuge and 
detention shall include hospitals, buildings for housing the aged, 
the sick and infirm, imbeciles or children, asylums, houses of 
correction, police stations and jails. 

SECTION 702. A TENEMENT or APARTMENT HOUSE 
is any building or part thereof which is occupied or is intended 
or designed to be occupied as the dwelling place of two or more 
families living independently of each other, and doing their own 
cooking upon the premises, and each having its own separate 
water closet within its apartment, and having a common right 
in the halls, stairways or some of them. 

An APARTMENT in a tenement or apartment house, if 
occupied or designed to be occupied, as the dwelling place of 
one family, shall consist of two or more rooms in a suite includ¬ 
ing The cooking room. 

A KITCHENETTE is a small, compact kitchen not designed 
to be used, nor used as a dining room, and having a floor area not 
exceeding 50 square feet between walls. 

The FRONT OF A LOT is that boundary line which byorders 
on a street. In the case of a corner lot, the owner may elect 
by statement of his plans, either street boundry line as the 
front. The rear of a lot is the side opposite to the front. In the 
case of a triangular or gore lot bounded by two streets the rear 
shall be the side not bordering on a street. 

A YARD is an open, unoccupied space on the same lot 
with a building or house and included between the line of the 
house and the line of the lot unobstructed except by fire escapes 
or outside stairs; or is such open, unoccupied space extending 
across the middle of inside lots which are 150 feet or more in 
length and which extend through from street to street. 

HEIGHTS PERMITTED FOR HOUSES OF HABITATION. 

SECTION 703. Heights of tenement or apartment houses 
shall be as follows: 

No fireproof tenement or apartment house shall exceed in 
height the width of the widest adjoining street, plus 25 feet 0 
inches, and shall not exceed 125 feet 0 inches in any case. 

No side of a Mill Building used as a tenement or apartment 
house shall exceed ^n average of 60'-0" in height above the 
established grade along such side, nor be more than 70' 0" above 
such gra'de at any point, nor exceed an average of 5 stories 
high, nor exceed 6 stories in any part. 



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118 











THE BUILDING CODE 


119 


No side of an Ordinary Masonry Building used as a tene¬ 
ment or apartment house shall exceed an average of 50'-0" in 
height above the established grade along such side, nor be more 
than 60'-0" above such grade at any point, nor exceed an aver¬ 
age of 4 stories high, nor exceed 5 stories in any part. 

No side of a frame building used as a tenement or apartment 
house shall exceed an average of 30' in height above the established 
grade aong such side, nor be more than 40'0" above such grade at 
any point, nor exceed an average of 3 stories high, nor exceed 
4 stories in any part. 

ALTERATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH APARTMENT 

HOUSES. 

SECTION 704. A building not erected as a tenement or 
apartment house if converted or altered to such use shall be 
subject to the requirements for tenement and apartment houses. 
A building erected and occupied as a tenement or apartment 
house shall not be so used if converted or altered to violate the 
requirements for tenement or apartment houses. 

TWO OR MORE APARTMENT HOUSES OR TENEMENTS ON 

ONE LOT. 

SECTION 705. If two tenement or apartment hourses are 
built on a through or corner lot, or if one tenement or apart¬ 
ment house and a building of another occupancy are built upon 
such lot, then each building independently shall be provided with 
the required yards and courts and the required uncovered 
lot area, and shall further comply with all other requirements of 
law for each such building when placed alone upon such lot. 
When a tenement or apartment house is located on a 
corner lot or through lot facing two streets, and when another 
building not a tenement or apartment house is located on the. 
same lot, then such other building or its use and occupancy shall 
not be detrimental to the health and safety of the occupants of 
such tenement or apartment house. 

YARDS FOR APARTMENT HOUSES AND TENEMENTS. 

SECTION 710. Except as hereinafter provided, there shall 
be behind every tenement or apartment house hereafter erected, 
a ground yard extending across the entire width of the lot, and 
at every point from the ground to the sky unobstructed, except 
by fire escapes or unenclosed outside stairs. Every part of a 
yard shall be fully open to every other part of the yard. The 
depth of said yard shall be measured from the extreme rear 
wall of the house or from covered porches or other similar pro¬ 
jections, if any, to the rear line of the lot, and at right angles 
to said line, except that where there is an alley or public pas¬ 
sageway in the rear of the lot the depth of the yard may be 
measured to the middle of said alley or open passageway. On 
an irregular lot of several depths, where there is more than 
one rear line'to the lot, such yard may extend across the entire 
width of the lot in sections, provided that each section of the 
yard is in every part and at every point of the minimum depth 



120 


THE BUILDING CODE 


hereinafter prescribed. Where the side lines of a lot con¬ 
verge toward the front or rear, the area of the yard shall 
be equal to the area of the yard required of a rectangular lot of 
the same depth, the width of such rectangular lot being the same 
as the width of the converging lot taken at a distance from 
the rear lot line equal to the depth of the yard required of such 
rectangular lot. 

Except on a corner lot, the depth of the yard behind every 
tenement or apartment house hereafter erected shall not be less . 
than one-eighth the depth of the lot but never less than 5 feet 
0. inches measured from the middle of an alley or public pas¬ 
sageway, if any, and shall be increased in depth by at least 1 
per cent, of the depth of the lot for each story above the third 
story. 

Except as otherwise provided, the depth of the yard behind 
every tenement or apartment house hereafter ercted upon a cor¬ 
ner lot shall be not less than 1-16 of the depth of the lot meas¬ 
ured as above provided and such yard need not be increased with 
the height of the building. 

SECTION 711. If there is a public alley less than 10 feet 
0 inches wide behind any tenement or apartment house, the yard 
may be placed at the side provided such side yard contains the 
same area as any required yard behind such tenement or apart¬ 
ment house, and provided such side yard is not less than feet 
0 inches wide throughout; and further provided that shell side 
yard meets the approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 712. Whenever a tenement or apartment house is 
hereafter erected upon an inside lot which runs through from 
sireet- to street, and said lot is 150 feet 0 inches or more in 
depth, then said yard shall be left midway between the two 
thoroughfares, and shall extend across the entire width of the | 
lot, and shall not be less in depth in any part than one-eighth 
of the depth of the lot and shall be increased in depth by at 
least 1 percent, of the depth of the lot for each story above, 
the third story. Neither the yard behind one tenement or apart¬ 
ment house nor any part thereof shall be deemed to satisfy in 
whole or in part the requirements of a yard for another tene-j 
ment or apartment house on the same or another lot. No yard] 
shall be required behind a tenement or apartment house upon a' 
lot entire surrounded by streets; or by streets, alleys or per- * 
manent open passageways, not less than 14 feet 0 inches in 
width; or by such streets, alleys and passageways and a rail¬ 
road right of way, a cemetery or a public park. No tenement, 
or apartment house shall be built upon the rear of an inside lot 
unless a straight passageway not less in width than one-fifth the 
width of the lot and unobstructed from the ground to the sky 
except by fire escapes, be provided from such tenement or apart¬ 
ment house to the street. 

SECTION 713. The ground yard hereinbefore required of 
every tenement or apartment house may be omitted provided 
the roof is constructed as a good, safe, convenient and healthful 
place for- play and recreation for the occupants. Such place 
shall be known as a Roof Yard. The omission of the ground 
yard shall not be taken to reduce the amount of uncovered 
ground area required by law. 






THE BUILDING CODE 


121 


Roof Yards shall be constructed as hereinafter required and 
otherwise in accord with such regulations as the Superintendent 
of Buildings may issue under the authority granted him by this 
Code. The roof surfacing of such yards shall be of brick, flat 
roofing tile, slate, tile, cement finish, cement composition, dense 
tar or asphalt compounds, or other, equally fire resisting and 
durable materials suitable for roof yards. The roof yard of 
every tenement or apartment house shall be supplied with good and 
ample means of egress as far apart as practicable and con¬ 
structed as approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. The 
degree of safety provided by such means of egress shall not be less 
than that required for the tenement or apartment house of 
which the roof yard is a part. 

SECTION 714. Every roof yard of tenement or apartment 
houses shall be entirely surrounded by an appropriate, safe, fire¬ 
proof wall, fence or screen, or a combination of them, not less 
than 6 feet 0 inches high in the clear above the adjacent finished 
roof surface. 

SECTION 715. Plumbing pipes, 'chimneys, stacks, flues, 
vents, shafts or other conductors which project above the roof 
either within any required roof yard or 15 feet 0 inches from 
its nearest point and which emit fluids or gases detrimental to 
the health and safety of the occupants of the yard shall extend 
not less than 7 feet 0 inehes above the highest point of the- 
roof yard. The main smoke flues within the roof yard, or 15 feet 
0 inches from the nearest point of the roof yard, shall extend 
not less than 10 feet 0 inches above the highest point of the 
roof yard. 

SECTION 716. The cost of complying with the above re¬ 
quirements relating to conductors, projections and roof openings 
in any building contiguous to a tenement or apartment house 
Shall be borne by the owner of the structure last built. 


ROOMS IN APARTMENT HOUSES AND TENTMENTS. 

SECTION 720. In every tenement or apartment house each 
apartment built for one family shall have not less than two 
rooms exclusive of bath and watercloset and including the room 
where cooking is done and at least one of such rooms shall con¬ 
tain not less than 120 square feet of floor area. Each other 
room except watercloset, compartments, bathrooms, pantries, 
kitchenettes, reception halls, and sleeping porches shall con¬ 
tain at least 80 square feet of floor area. Every sleeping room 
used for the accommodation of more than one person shall contain 
not less than 512 cubic feet of air space for such person over 14 
years of age and not less than 300 cubic feet of air space for 
each child under 14 years of age. 

Where there are three or more rooms, each room shall be 
accessible without passing through a bedroom. 

SECTION 721. Habitable rooms in places of habitation, 
refuge and detention other than dwellings shall not be less than 
8 feet 4 inches in height from floor to ceiling. 


122 


THE BUILDING CODE 


WINDOW AREA IN HOUSES OF HABITATION. 

SECTION 722. In places of habitation, refuge or detention, 
other than dwellings, the total free window area of every hab¬ 
itable room shall be equal to at least one-eighth of the floors 
area of such room and not less than 12 square feet and located , 
to light properly all portions of the room, except that windows 
for kitchenettes shall be not less than 5 square feet in free \ 
area. The top of at least one window in every room shall not 
be less than 7 feet 0 inches above the floor and all required \ 
windows shall be made to open at least % their area. Sky¬ 
lights having the light area and ventilating capacity required 
of windows for kitchenettes, bath rooms, watercloset com- ] 
partments and halls may be used in such rooms in place of 
windows. 

SECTION 723. Every habitable room in places of habita¬ 
tion, refuge and detention, other than dwellings, which opens 
upon an interior court less than 10 feet 0 inches wide shall be 
properly provided with a transom communicating with another 
room or corridor in the same apartment. Such transom shall 
contain not less than 4 square feet of glazed surface and shall 
be made to open easily. 


ALCOVES. 

SECTION 724. No part of any habitable room in any place 
of habitation, refuge or detention, other than dwellings, shall be 
enclosed or subdivided at any time as an alcove sleeping room, 
by a fixed or movable partition, by a door or doors, or by a 
screen or other contrivance or device unless such part of the 
room so enclosed or subdivided shall have*an unobstructed and 
permanent opening into it equal to 75 per cent, of the floor area 
of such part or unless such part of the room is provided with the 
floor area, window area, and volume of air elsewhere required. 


TOILET ROOMS IN APARTMENT HOUSES AND 
TENEMENTS. 

SECTION 730. In each apartment or tenement there shall 
be at least one water-closet for the exclusive use of such tene¬ 
ment or apartment and it shall be located in a bathroom or a 
separate compartment. When such water-closet is located in a 
water-closet compartment or bathroom ventilated by a vent 
duct, then such compartment or bathroom shall have a fixed 
sash with obscure glass facing the best borrowed light. In 
every tenement or apartment having three or more rooms at least 
one water-closet shall be accessible without passing through anv 
bedroom. 

In each apartment of every' tenement or apartment house 
there shall be at least one proper and sufficient shower bath or 
fixed bathtub complete for bathing, and when these are three 
or more rooms such shower bath or bathtub shall be accessible 
without passing through any bedroom. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


123 


BASEMENT APARTMENTS. 

SECTION 731. No sleeping room or living room in any¬ 
place of habitation, refuge or detention shall hereafter be built 
or located in a cellar. Every such room in a cellar now used as 
a sleeping room or living room, shall cease to be so used six 
(6) months after the enactment of this Code; except that such 
rooms now so used may continue to be so used by adults only, 
provided such rooms are not more than two-thirds of their 
height below grade level and provided such rooms have a total 
free window area of not less than one-tenth of their floor area. 

No such sleeping room or living room shall be located in any 
part of a basement unless the adjoining and enclosing walls 
and floor of such part shall be rendered dampproof and water¬ 
proof and shall otherwise meet the approval of the Superintend¬ 
ent of Buildings. Such walls shall be furred with metal lath 
covered with not less than one-half inch of hard plaster, leaving 
one inch air space, or shall be furred with hollow terra cotta 
fireproofing. The floor shall be of concrete or asphalt. 


CHIMNEYS IN APARTMENT HOUSES AND TENEMENTS. 

*SECTION 732. Chimneys in tenements or apartment houses 
! shall be constructed as elsewhere required by this Code. Every 
apartment wherein solid fuel or oil is burned, shall be properly 
j connected to an adequate masonry chimney provided with an 
: open fireplace, a grate or a connection for a stove. In tene- 
j ment or apartment houses, every apartment wherein gas is burn¬ 
ed for purposes other than lighting, shall be properly con- 
i neeted to an adequate chimney; or, if a hood is not used, such 
apartment may be connected with a heavy sheet metal duct 
having locked or riveted air-tight joints and properly covered 
with 30-pound asbestos paper. Such duct shall open at least 2 
feet 0 inches above the roof and as high as any construction 
above the roof against which such duct may be placed. In no 
, case shall such duct be less than 27 square inches in area, or the 
width be less than 3 inches. 


ASBESTOS AND WIRE GLASS IN APARTMENT HOUSES 
AND TENEMENTS. 

SECTION 733. In non-fireproof tenement or apartment 
houses, 30-pound asbestos paper completely covering the floor 
shall be placed between the rough and finished floor boards of 
every floor immediately over all ceilings elsewhere required to 
be lathed with metal lath or plaster -board. Where glass is 
used in the outside walls, or inside partitions of public halls, 

*(A11 apartments must have either masonry flues or metal 
ducts for connecting gas ranges. Ducts must be of No. 27 gauge 
or heavier metal, covered with asbestos paper weighing not less 
than 10 pounds per square. The minimum permissible area of 
an individual vent duct shall be 13.5 square inches and not less 
than 10 square inches per inlet shall be provided in vent ducts 
into which more than one inlet opens. Not more than four in¬ 
lets may open into one common duct, provided, however, that 
any number of ducts may terminate into a single duct above the 
highest inlet opening. All ducts must continue to a point at 
least 2 feet above the roof and as high as any roof construction 
against which they may be placed.) 




124 


THE BUILDING CODE 


corridors, stairways and other public passageways above or be¬ 
low ground, it shall be wire glass. 

DETRIMENTAL USE OF APARTMENT HOUSES AND 
TENEMENTS. 

SECTION 734. No part of any tenement or apartment 
house, nor of the lot on which it is situated, shall be built or 
used for a place for the keeping or handling of any inflammable 
article or any other article or process dangerous or detrimental 
to life and health except under regulations issued by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings and receiving the approval of the 
Board of Appeals. 

GARBAGE DISPOSAL IN APARTMENT HOUSES AND 
TENEMENTS. 

SECTION 735. Every Tenement or Apartment House shall 
have suitable arrangements for the disposal of waste, garbage, rub¬ 
bish, refuse or other like matter and shall be provided with a proper 
receptacle or receptacles for temporary storage conveniently 
located for garbage collection. No garbage chute shall be in¬ 
stalled in such buildings except a water flushed or other 
approved sanitary chute constructed according to regulations 
agreed upon by the Superintendent of Buildings and the Com¬ 
missioner of Health. Such chute may be required by the Com¬ 
missioner of Health—in all cases subject to such regulations. 


PART VIII. PLACES OF PUBLIC 
ASSEMBLY. 

DEFINITIONS. 

SECTION 801. Places of public assembly shall include all 
buildings and parts of buildings used for the purposes herein 
defined under the several terms: Churches, Public Assembly ! 
Halls, Amusement Halls, Theatres, Moving Picture Theatres and • 
Schools. Places of Public Assembly shall comply with the general 
structural provisions of this Code and the special provisions con- ; 
tained in this Part. 

Every place of public assembly shall have at least one j 
means of egress on a public street. 

The term exit applies to any doorway or other opening in 
the outer walls of a place of Public Assembly through which J 
people may pass out, and is to be understood as including en- : 
trances. 

CHURCHES. 

SECTION 802. The term church used in this Code shall 
include every building used as a church or place of public wor- 
ship. Churches shall conform to the requirements for buildings 
in the several districts. They shall also conform to the provis- i 
ions relating to Public Assembly Halls in so far as the same ' 
are applicable, except as provided in the following section. 



THE BUILDING CODE 


125 


SECTION 803. Churches with seating capacity for not over 
750 persons are not specially limited as to class of construction, 
otherwise than provided in the preceding section. 

Every church having a seating capacity of more than 750 
and less than 1,750 shall be built of fireproof or mill construc¬ 
tion. 

Every church having an aggregate seating capacity greater 
than 1,750 persons shall be built of fireproof construction, ex¬ 
cept that roofs may be constructed as required for school build¬ 
ings. 

In computing the seating capacity of church pews an al¬ 

lowance of 20 inches of the pew length shall be made for each 
person. 

PUBLIC ASSEMBLY HALLS. 

SECTION 804. The term Public Assembly Hall shall in¬ 
clude every parish hall, lodge hall, dance hall, banquet hall, 
skating rink, hall 1 used for exposition, exhibition or place of 

assemblage or instruction other than a school as elsewhere de¬ 
fined, excepting such places as are included in the term Amuse¬ 
ment Hall hereafter defined; provided that rooms used for as¬ 
semblages of less than 100 persons shall not be regarded as 

Public' Assembly Halls. 

Such rooms and all Public Assembly halls shall be provided 
with good and sufficient air, and means of egress. 

SECTION 805. No existing building, other than of fire¬ 
proof construction shall be connected to any Public Assembly 
Hall now existing or hereafter constructed with seating capacity 
for more than 250 persons unless there be, between such build¬ 
ings, a fireproof wall extending from the ground to and through 
the roof. 

In all such cases, each opening in the intervening wall shall 
be fitted with a substantial door, closed by a strong spring or 
equivalent closing device and kept closed when a person is not 
passing through. In addition, each said opening shall be equip¬ 
ped with an approved automatic firedoor, all as approved by the 
Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 806. No part of an existing building, other than 
of fireproof construction, shall be used for a public Assembly 
Hall with seating capacity for more than 250 persons unless such 
part is separated from all portions of the same building used 
for other purposes by a fireproof wall extending from the ground 
through the roof and unless all openings in such fire wall are 
equipped with approved automatic double fire doors, in which 
case such other portions may be constructed in the manner per¬ 
mitted for separate buildings of such class. 

SECTION 807. Every building hereafter erected, containing 
a Public Assembly Hall or halls of an aggregate seating capa¬ 
city of more than 500 and not more than 1,500 persons shall be 
built of fireproof or mill construction. 

If an assembly hall or halls in any building have a total 
seating capacity of more than 1,500 persons such building shall 
be built of fireproof construction; provided, that buildings 
mainly used for exposition or exhibition purposes, and not used 


126 


THE BUILDING CODE 


for theatrical purposes, and not exceeding 2 stories in height 
which have for public use only a main floor and one gallery and 
which have their walls and structural members of incombustible 
material and which comply with the provisions of the Code 
as to stairways, exits, and fire escapes, may have their tempor¬ 
ary seats, boxes, show cases, platforms or booths constructed, of 
combustible material; provided, however, that any and all 
draperies, bunting, or other inflammable decorations shall be 
treated with a fire-retarding solution, subject to the approval of 
the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 808. In computing the seating capacity of any 
room or building used ;for Public Assembly Halls in which the 
seats are not fixed, an allowance of 6 square feet of floor area 
shall be made for each person, and all space between the walls 
or partitions of such room or building shall be measured in this 
computation. Provided, that in buildings standing at least T 0" 
from any other building and not having more than 2 stories and 
each floor having its own separate exits, the seating capacity of 
each floor shall be estimated alone as determining the kind of 
construction required. 

Moveable seats are not permitted in balconies and galleries 
having stepped floors. 

SECTION 809. Every building containing a Public Assembly 
Hall or halls of an aggregate seating capacity of 750 persons or 
less, shall have a frontage upon 2 public spaces, of which at least 
one shall be a street, and the other, if not a street, shall be a 
public or private alley, not less than 10' 0" wide, opening directly 
on a public street or alley. 

Every building containing a Public Assembly Hall or halls of 
greater aggregate seating capacity than 750 shall have a front¬ 
age upon 3 open spaces, of which at least one shall be a public 
street, while the other 2, if not streets, shall be public or private 
alleys of a width of not less than 10' 0" each, opening directly on 
a public street or alley; provided that a fireproof passageway at 
grade level, and not less than 7' 0" in width may be used in place 
of one such alley, if such passageway connects with a public 
thoroughfare. 

SECTION 810. The limitations of floor levels in buildings 
hereafter erected, occupied either wholly or in part for the pur¬ 
poses of Public Assembly Halls, shall be as follows: 

No auditorium of a greater seating capacity that 1,000 shall 
have the highest part of its main floor at a greater distance than 
15' 0" inches above the average grade of adjacent streets and 
alleys, nor more than 10' 0" above the grade at main entrance. 

No room or rooms having a greater seating capacity than 500 
shall be at a greater distance above average grade than 25' 0" 
nor more than 20' 0" above the grade at main entrance. 

No room or rooms used for the purposes of Public Assembly 
Halls having a greater seating capacity than 250 shall be at a 
higher level above the average grade than 35' 0" nor more than 
30' 0" above the grade at main entrance; provided, however, that 
in the case of a building used either wholly or in part for the 
purpose of Public Assembly Halls, and built of fireproof construc¬ 
tion, a room or rooms to be used for such purposes, and of an ag- 


THE BUILDING CODE 


127 


gregate seating capacity of less than 500 may be located in any 
story thereof; but in such case, there shall be at least 2 separate 
and distinct flights of stairs from the floor or floors in which such 
room or rooms are located, to the ground, each of which stairs 
shall be not less than 4' 0" wide in the clear and such floor or 
floors shall be equipped with emergency exit doorways, and have 
not Jess than one stairway fire escape. 

In buildings of fireproof construction, banquet halls or ball 
rooms having a seating capacity of not more than 900 - may be 
located on any floor. Such banquet halls or ball rooms shall have 
access to at least 2 interior stairways and not less than one stair¬ 
way fire escape, the combined width of which shall be equal to at 
least 18 inches for each 100 persons for whom accommodations are 
provided in said banquet hall or ball room. 

SECTION 811... Every public Assembly Hall shall have at 
least 2 independent exits located as far apart as practicable. The 
combined width of exits shall be not less than 18 inches for each 
100 persons of the aggregate seating capacity, and for fractional 
parts of 100 a proportionate part of 18 inches shall be added; 
provided the main entrance in halls with seating capacity exceed¬ 
ing 250 shall not be less than 5' 0" wide, and no exit doorway 
shall be less than 3' 0" wide. 

If the seating capacity is 500 or more there must be at least 
two 5' 0" exits, and if the seating capacity is 700 or more there 
must be at least one additional independent exit. 

SECTION 812. Distinct and separate places of exit and en¬ 
trance in Public Assembly Halls shall be provided for each gal¬ 
lery. A common place of exit and entrance may serve for the 
main floor of the auditorium and the balcony, provided its capa¬ 
city be equal to the aggregate required capacity of all aisles or 
corridors leading from the main floor and such balcony to such 
place of exit and entrance. 

SECTION 813. Any room or rooms used for the purposes of 
Public Assembly Halls, having a seating capacity of more than 
500, shall, if not at grade level, have emergency exits and outside 
stairs for same equal in width to % of the^xits required for the 
main exits, and such emergency exits shall lead directly to a pub¬ 
lic thoroughfare. 

Doors leading to emergency exits shall not be less than 3' 0" 
wide and emergency stairways shall be not less than 4' 0" wide. 
Such emergency exits and stairways may be built inside the walls 
of such building of a width not less than 4' 0", provided they are 
enclosed by a fireproof partition not less than 4 inches thick; and 
further provided, that the stairs themselves, are constructed of in¬ 
combustible material. Emergency stairways may descend into 
open spaces or passageways, provided they do not obstruct more 
than y 2 of the width of such open spaces or passageways. All 
emergency exits, stairs and passages must be kept free from ob¬ 
struction of any kind. 

SECTION 814. The width of corridors, passageways, hallways 
and doors adjacent to, connected with or a part of any room used 
for the purposes of a Public Assembly Hall shall be computed in 
the same manner as is herein provided for aisles, excepting, 
however, that no such corridor, passageway or hallway shall be 


128 


THE BUILDING CODE 


less than 6' 0" in width, and no such doorway shall be less than 
5' 0" in width. 

All doors affording access directly or indirectly to the street, 
alley or corridor from any room used for the purposes of a public 
assembly hall shall open outward. 

Exit doors shall not be obscured by draperies, and during the 
time any such room or rooms are open to the public, said 2ioors 
shall not be locked or fastened in any manner so as to prevent 
them from being easily opened outwardly; and such doors shall be 
constructed and maintained so as to require no special knowledge 
or effort to open them from the interior. 

SECTION 815. Aisles in any room used for the purposes of 
a Public Assembly Hall shall have in the aggregate a width of 18 
inches for each 100 of the seating capacity of such room, and for 
fractional parts of 100 a proportionate part of 18 inches shall be 
added; but no aisle shall be in any part less than 2' 6" wide. If 
aisles are widened toward the entrances at the ratio of 1% inch 
for each 5 running feet, the aggregate width shall be considered to 
be the sum of the average widths of all the aisles. 

Steps shall be permitted in aisles only as extending from 
bank to bank of seats, and whenever the rise from bank to bank 
of seats is less than 5 inches, the floor of the aisle shall be made 
as an inclined plane, and where steps occur in outside aisles or 
corridors, they shall not be isolated, but shall be grouped together, 
and there shall be a light so placed as to illuminate such steps in 
such outside aisles or corridors. 

All aisles and passageways in and leading to churches and 
public assembly halls shall be kept free from chairs and all other 
furniture or obstructions whether by persons or things during all 
services, performances, exhibitions, lectures, concerts, balls or 
other public assemblages therein. 

Where there are emergency exits located at the sides of such 
rooms, there shall be a cross aisle giving access to such exits. 
The location of emergency exits and cross aisles shall be subject 
to the approval of the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 816. There shall be not more -than 14 seats in any 
one row between aisles, and in a room or rooms used for the pur¬ 
poses of Public Assembly Halls, of a seating capacity greater than 
400 persons, there shall be an aisle on each side of any bank of seats 
where there are over 9 seats in a row. Rows of seats on any 
floor of any Public Assembly Hall shall not be less than 32 inches 
from back to back, measured horizontally, and no bank of seats 
shall be of a greater rise than 21 inches. All seats in galleries 
having platforms on inclined floors shall be firmly fixed to the 
floor. Moveable seats in rooms accommodating more than 400 per 
sons shall be fastened together in banks of not less than 6 seats. 

SECTION 817. Gallery fronts, platforms for seats, and seat¬ 
ing arrangements in balconies and galleries in Public Assembly 
Halls shall comply with the requirements for theatres except as 
otherwise approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 818. Every hall or room used for the purpose of a 
Public Assembly Hall not at grade level , shall have access to not 
less than 2 exit stairways. The combined width of stairways in 
buildings used wholly or in part for Public Assembly Halls shall 


THE BUILDING CODE 


129 


h * 18 inches for each 100 persons of the aggregate seating capa¬ 
city of all rooms used for such purposes in such building and for 
fractional parts of 100, a proportionate part of 18 inches shall 
be added; but no stairway in such building shall be less than 4' 0" 
wide in the clear; provided that in any such building having a 
room or rooms, balcony or gallery, used for the purposes of Public 
Assembly Halls the aggregate seating capacity of which does not 
exceed 250 persons, 2 separate and distinct stairways, each 3' 0" 
wide, shall be required, and shall be located as far apart as 
practicable. 

SECTION 819. Every portion of a building used as Public 
Assembly Hall and all outlets therefrom leading to streets or 
spaces connected therewith, including the vestibules, halls, corri¬ 
dors, passageways and stairways, exits and fire escapes shall be 
properly lighted whenever such building is occupied, and the same 
shall be kept so lighted until the entire audience have left the 
premises; and every passageway, corridor, stairway and exit shall 
be provided with a sign indicating the way out of the building, the 
letters of which shall not be less than 6 inches in height. 

All lights indicating exits in vestibules, halls, passageways, 
corridors or other means of egress from the building shall be con¬ 
trolled by a separate shut-off located near the main entrance, and 
controlled only in that particular place. 

A red light furnished by electric light on independent current 
shall be kept burning, in connection with the word “EXIT” over 
every such opening during the entire time such building is oc¬ 
cupied between sunset and sunrise, and whenever such word is not 
plainly visible by daylight. 

Flues used to carry off heat from open lights shall be of in¬ 
combustible material and shall have at least 12 inches clearance 
from any combustible material. 

SECTION 820. Every public Assembly Hall with accommoda 
tions for 1,000 or more persons shall be provided with at least one 
stand pipe and fire escape ladder on the outside of the building in 
a street or alley, extending to the roof, with hose attachment close 
to a window or door at each floor or gallery. 

SECTION 821. No Public Assembly Hall shall be opened to 
the public until the same shall have been inspected and found to 
comply with all the provisions of this Code in relation thereto, 
and a permit for such opening shall have been issued by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings. 

AMUSEMENT HALLS. 

SECTION 822. The term Amusement Hall shall apply to 
every room used for theatrical purposes, every lodge room, audi¬ 
torium or Assembly Hall, having a seating capacity less than 750 
and having a curtain with a limited amount of scenery and having 
not more than one balcony or gallery. Amusement Halls shall con¬ 
form to the provisions relating to Public Assembly Halls and to 
the following special requirements. 

SECTION 823. All seats in Amusement Halls shall be spaced 
as required for theatres. If there is a balcony or gallery all seats 
in same must be securely fastened to the floor. In the main 


130 


THE BUILDING CODE 


auditorium if the seats are not fastened to the flooor they shall be 
fastened together in banks containing at least six seats each. 

SECTION 824. In any Amusement Hall, the area of the stage 
back of the proscenium wall shall not exceed 1-5 the area of the 
auditorium and shall have no traps or movable sections in the 
floor. 

SECTION 825. When the seating capacity of any Amuse¬ 
ment Hall is greater than 500, allowing 6 square feet of floor to 
a seat, the proscenium wall must be of brick or other equivalent 
masonry of the thickness as required elsewhere in this code and 
shall extend at least 4' 0" above the stage roof. When the seat¬ 
ing capacity is less than 500 the proscenium wall may be built 
of metal studs with metal lath and cement plaster at least % 
inch in thickness on both sides. All allowed openings except the 
curtain opening, through the proscenium wall shall be protected 
by approved fireproof doors on each side. 

SECTION 826. The curtain in every Amusement Hall must be 
of asbestos, and shall be hung as required for theatres. All 
scenery, borders and wings, shall be permanent, and no transient 
scenery will be permitted unless approved by the Superintendent 
of Buildings. All permanent scenery shall be painted with an 
approved fire resisting paint. 

SECTION 827, All dressing rooms in Amusement Halls unless 
fireproof shall be metal lathed and hard plastered and all stud 
partitions where permitted shall be fire stopped at least 3 times 
in their height, and all stud partitions adjoining the stage shall 
have metal lath and cement plaster on the stage side. All doors 
must be approved fire doors. 

SECTION 828. The fly galleries and rigging loft in every 
Amusement Hall must have steel supports but the floor itself may 
be of wood not less than 2 inches x 4 inches in dimension, covered 
with fireproof paint or cold water paint. 

SECTION 829. The area of the stage skylight or smoke vents 
in every Amusement Hall shall be at least 1-20 of the floor area of 
the stage and shall be equipped to open as required in theatres. 

SECTION 830. Proper natural or artificial ventilation shall 
be provided for all Amusement Halls. 

SECTION 831. Every Amusement Hall shall have at least 
one 3-inch stand pipe in the auditorium and one on the stage, with 
hose connections on every floor, gallery or gridiron, 50 feet 0 
inches of 1%-inch hose shall be provided for each outlet. All 
valve outlets shall be quick opening, and reducers and other fit¬ 
tings shall be standard. 


THEATRES. 

SECTION 832. The term Theatre shall apply to any building 
designed or used for the entertainment of spectators, for which 
an admission fee is charged, and having a permanent stage upon 
which moveable scenery and theatrical apparatus is employed and 
having the space over stage extend to a height of 5 feet 0 inches 


THE BUILDING CODE 


131 


or more above the top of proscenium arch.. It shall include 
theatres, opera houses, music halls, play houses, pavilions, vaude¬ 
ville shows and assembly halls, which conform to this definition; 
provided, however, that club halls and other halls with a seating 
capacity of less than 500, although occasionally used for theatrical 
presentation, shall not be considered as theatres within the mean¬ 
ing of the term as used in this section, notwithstanding the fact 
that movable scenery is used upon the stages thereof on such 
occasion. Such halls shall be regarded as 'Public Assembly Halls. 

SECTION 833. In any building containing a theatre, that 
portion not required for the theatre may be used for other pur¬ 
poses not hereinafter prohibited if approved by the Superintendent 
of Buildings, provided masonry or other approved fireproof con¬ 
struction separates such portion of the buildings from the theatre. 
There shall be no openings through such fireproof construction 
except into a hall or corridor of a fireproof office building, and 
such openings shall be kept elosed at all time, when no one is 
passing through, by doors as prescribed for emergency exits. 

No portion of any theatre building hereafter erected or 
altered shall be occupied as a place of habitation, factory, work¬ 
shop or for storage of any article or material that is inflammable 
or otherwise dangerous to life except as approved by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 834. Outside of the Eirst and Second Building 
Districts, every building hereafter erected or altered and contain¬ 
ing a theatre not more than one story in height whose seating 
capacity is less than 750, shall be of fireproof, mill or ordinary 
masonry construction, and when not fireproof shall have all walls 
and ceilings covered with metal lath and cement plaster and all 
partitions fireproof or incombustible. The proscenium wall and 
stage and all rooms connected therewith or with the auditorium 
shall be of the construction hereinafter described. All aisles, 
passageways and exits must be good and sufficient and of such 
construction as will meet with the approval of the Superintendent 
of Buildings. 

Theatres are not permitted in ordinary masonry buildings 
within the Eirst or Second Building District. 

SECTION 835. Outside of the First Building District, every 
building not more than one story in height above the established 
grade having no balcony or gallery and containing a theatre 
whose seating capacity is 750 and not over 1,000, shall be of 
fireproof or mill construction. 

Every such theatre when not fireproof shall have all interior 
walls, partitions and ceiling lathed with metal lath and plastered 
with cement plaster. The stage, dressng rooms and all other rooms 
connected therewith or with the auditorium must be of fireproof 
construction. 

There shall be at least one exit on each of three sides of such 
building. Each such exit shall open directly upon a street or alley 
or free open space not less than 10 feet 0 inches wide adjoining 
a public thoroughfare; or shall open into a fireproof passageway 
or side court leading directly to such street, alley or free open 
space. Each exit and passageway shall be at least 5 feet 0 inches 
in width and the combined width of such exits shall be equal, to not 


132 


THE BUILDING CODE 


less than 2 feet 0 inches for each 100 of the seating capacity of 
such theatre. 

Theatres are not permitted in mill buildings within the First 
Building District. 

SECTION 836. Every building hereafter erected or altered 
and containing a theatre whose seating capacity is 750 or more 
shall be fireproof except as hereinbefore provided. 

SECTION 837. Every theatre, if located over, under or ad¬ 
joining any other room, must be separated therefrom by fireproof 
floors and walls which have no openings through them connected 
with the theatre. 

SECTION 838. Every building hereafter erected used wholly 
or in part for the purposes of a theatre, shall have a frontage upon 
two public thoroughfares, one of which shall be a street and the 
other, if not a street, shall be a public alley not less than 10 feet 
0 inches in width. 

SECTION 839. The auditorium floor of every theatre shall be 
in the first or ground story and as near the sidewalk level as prac¬ 
ticable. 

The main entrance shall be at sidewalk level, and no steps 
from the auditorium entrance to the auditorium floor will be per¬ 
mitted. 

To overcome any difference in level between courts, corridors, 
lobbies, passageways, auditorium and aisles on the ground floor, 
gradients of not over one to eight with no perpendicular risers 
shall be used. Side street and alley exits shall have similar grad¬ 
ients where practicable. 

Floors of all exits shall be designed to be flush with adjacent 
floors, by means of gradients where necessary. 

SECTION 840. Every theatre accommodating 250 persons 
shall have at least two exits; when accommodating 500 persons, at 
least three exits shall be provided—these exits not referring to nor 
including the exits to the open court at the side of a theatre. ! 
Doorways of exit or entrance for the use of the public shall not 
be less than 5 feet 0 inches in width, and for every additional 100 
persons or portion thereof to be accommodated in excess of 500 
an aggregate of 20 inches additional exit width must be allowed. 
All exits shall be located as far apart as practicable on each floor, 
balcony or gallery. 

Provision shall be made for exits at least 3 feet 0 inches wide 
from all boxes, arranged so that egress from boxes shall be as 
safe as from gallery or balcony or auditorium floor. 

At least two independent exits not less than 3 feet 0 inches 
wide shall be provided from the stage, located on opposite sides of 
the same and leading directly or through a fireproof passage to a 
street or alley. 

There shall be one means of egress to the roof or through 
windows or other exits from the gridiron and one from each fly 
gallery. Such exits, if there are two, shall be located at opposite 
ends of the floor served. 

All doors of exits or entrances shall open outward and shall 
be hung to swing in such a manner as not to become an obstruction 
m a passage or corridor, and no such doors shall be so locked as 


THE BUILDING CODE 


133 


to delay or obstruct in any way the rapid and free passage of peo- 
,j pie outward when the building is open to the public or during any 
'! performance therein. 

No single door shall be less than 3 feet 0 inches wide, pro¬ 
vided two doors may be used in each required 5 feet 0 inches 
:i doorway. No single door or leaf of a folding door shall exceed 
j< 4 feet 0 inches in width. 

No architectural treatment, mirrors, false windows, doors or 
j other decorations shall be so used as to give the appearance of a 
) door or exit, when no such door or exit exists. Every such treat¬ 
ment shall be removed from existing theatres within six months 
after the enactment of this Code. 

All doors of all exits must be of approved fireproof construc¬ 
tion, set in fireproof frames. 

SECTION 841. In addition to the entrances and exits on the 
j street required by the preceding section, there shall be reserved for 
service in case of an emergency an open court, corridor or space on 
j the side not bordering on the streets, where said building is lo- 
| cated on a corner lot, and on both sides of said building where 
j there is but one frontage on the street. In case of a one-story 
building having an area not exceeding 4,000 square feet and with 
a seating capacity of less than 500 people, a court 5 feet 0 inches 
j wide on one side only shall be required, provided that all seats 
j shall be on one floor, and no galleries be allowed in such building. 

In all other theatres, the width of such open court or courts 
j shall not be less than 7 feet 0 inches where the seating capacity is 
I not over 1,000 people; above 1,000 and not more than 1,800 people, 

! 8 feet 0 inches in width; and above 1,800 people, 10 feet Oinches 
in width. Said open court or courts shall begin on a line with 
or near the proscenium wall and shall at least extend the length 
of the auditorium proper to or near the wall separating the same 
from the entrance lobby or vestibule. 

Each open court, corridor or space shall continue to a street or 
alley or a separate corridor therefrom shall extend through any 
superstructure that may be built on the street side of the auditor¬ 
ium, and shall have continuous masonry walls on each side of its 
entire length, with no projections into said corridor; and the 
ceilings, floors and stairways therein shall be fireproof. 

The outer openings of all such courts, halls or corridors, if 
provided with doors or gates, shall have them opening toward the 
street. During the performance the doors or gates shall be kept 
open by proper fastenings; at other times they shall not be held 
closed by any fastenings that cannot be easily and quickly opened 
by anybody from the inside without a key. 

Courts, halls, corridors or passages of an adjoining fireproof 
office building may be used as exits from a theatre and when so 
used they must be kept clear and free during performances. 

The level of all said courts, halls and corridors shall be at the 
level of the sidewalk where they begin at the street entrance. 

No passage leading to any stairs, exit or entrance shall be 
less than 4 feet 0 inches inwidth. 

Every corridor, passageway and other means of egress from 
any office, smoking room, toilet room or check room shall permit 
of continuous passage to an exit without returning. Every such 
corridor, passage and other means of egress must be at least 3 
feet 0 inches in width in the clear and have no exit doors or win- 




134 


THE BUILDING CODE 


dows which can be locked from the inside, unless there be in such 
opening a. clear area of thin glass sufficient for egress when 
broken. 

SECTION 842. In addition to the ordinary exits, every 
theatre shall have not less than two emergency exits opening from 
each side of each floor of auditorium, balcony and galleries, either 
into a street or an alley or into a court, corridor or hall. 

These exits shall be closed with fireproof doors in fireproof 
frames and shall have only such fastenings as will readily yield to 
the direct outward pressure of one person. Said doors shall be at 
least three inches narrower than the court,, hall, corridor or bal¬ 
cony upon which they open, and shall be hung in such a manner 
as not to obstruct the passage of people from exits above. Each 
door as above described shall open outward from an aisle or exit. 

All balconies and stairways leading from exits shall be con¬ 
structed of iron, steel or other fireproof material throughout, and 
shall safely sustain a load of 100.. pounds to the square foot, and 
shall not be less than 3 feet 0 inches in width. Such stairways 
shall have solid treads. 

SECTION 843. In all theatres, every aisle on the respective 
floors in the auditorium, balcony and galleries having seats on both 
sides of the same, shall be not less than 3 feet 0 inches wide at the 
end farthest from the main entrance, and shall be increased in 
width toward such entrance in the ratio of one inch to every five 
running feet. Aisles having seats on one side only shall be not 
less than 2 feet 6 inches wide at place of beginning, and widened 
toward the entrance at the ratio of one inch in every ten running 
feet, except that .aisles in front of the boxes may be 2 feet 0 
inches wide. There shall be aisles next to all walls of the audi¬ 
torium. 

SECTION 844. No seat in the auditorium, balcony or gal¬ 
leries of any theatre shall have more than six seats intervening 
between it and an aisle except that in each of the last eight rows 
next to the foyer on the main floor there may be seven seats in¬ 
tervening. 

Seats shall' be not less than 32 inches from back to back 
measured in a horizontal direction. All seats excepting those in 
the boxes must be firmly secured to the floor. 

There shall be no seats in any aisle or cross aisle leading to an 
exit, unless such aisle is increased 2 feet 6 inches in width. 

SECTION 845. Platforms formed to receive the seats in the 
balcony and galleries of any theatre shall be not more than 21 
inches in height of riser, nor less in width of platform than the 
required distance back to back of seats. 

If the number of banks of seats on the auditorium floor ex¬ 
ceeds 20, an intervening cross aisle may be required leading to a 
side exit unless a direct exit is provided for each aisle. The num¬ 
ber of banks of seats in the balcony and galleries shall not exceed 
15, unless an intervening or cross aisle is provided between each 
15 banks of seats or a direct exit is provided for each aisle. 

SECTION 846. In all theatres in fireproof buildings the 
fronts of galleries shall be of fireproof construction, and in all 
other buildings may be of wood construction covered on both sides 


THE BUILDING CODE 


135 


with approved metal or metal lath and cement plaster. The cap¬ 
ping of all gallery fronts may be of hardwood or other approved 
material. 

SECTION 847. All exits above the first floor in every theatre 
shall have independent stairs and exits to the street; provided, 
however, that a common place of exit or entrance may serve for 
the main floor of the auditorium and the balcony upon the follow¬ 
ing conditions: (a) its capacity must be equal to the aggregate 
capacity of the outlets from the main floor and said balcony; (b) 
the bottom flight of the stairs leading from the balcony must not 
land at right angles or nearly so with the central exits of the 
common exit, unless there be a clear space or landing of at least 
'1*4 times the width of the stairs between the foot of such stairs 
and such center line of the nearest exit doorway. 

No stairway shall lead to a basement or cellar from any pub¬ 
lic part of a theatre in front of the proscenium wall, except from 
the foyer to a fireproof room below. 

Every stairway serving for the exit of 100 people or less 
shall be at least 4 feet 0 inches wide, and shall be increased in the 
ratio of at least 12 inches in width for every additional 100 people 
to be accommodated. No circular or winding stairs for the use of 
the public shall be permitted. 

In theatres having not more than one balcony and one gallery, 
if the seating capacity be more than 500 on each floor, there shall 
be provided for each balcony or gallery at least two independent 
stairways. The same shall be located on opposite sides of said 
balcony and gallery. 

Where there are more than one balcony and one gallery, one or 
more additional stairways shall be provided for each additional 
balcony or gallery. Where the seating capacity is 1,000 or less on 
each gallery floor, two direct, lines of gallery stairs only shall be 
required, located on opposite sides of the gallery. 

In both cases gallery stairs shall extend from the sidewalk 
level to the upper gallery, with outlets from each gallery to each 
of said stairways. 

All inside stairways leading to the upper galleries shall be 
closed on both sides with masonry walls or fireproof partitions. 
Stairs leading to the front or lower balcony may be left open on 
one side, but in no case shall stairs leading to any balcony or gal¬ 
lery be left open on both sides. 

When straight stairs return directly upon themselves a land¬ 
ing the full width of both flights, without steps, shall be provided. 
The outer line of such landing shall be curved to a radius of not 
less than 2 feet 0 inches to avoid square angles. Stairs turning in 
an angle shall have a landing without winders at said turn. In 
stairs where two flights connect with one main flight, there shall 
be no winders, and the width of the main flight shall be at least 
equal to the aggregate width of the side flights. All stairs shall 
have landings not exceeding 12 feet 0 inches apart perpendicularly. 

Every enclosed stairway shall have on each side a strong and 
continuous hand rail firmly secured to the wall, not less than two 
inches distant therefrom, and about 3 feet 0 inches above the 
stairs. Every staircase 8 feet 0 inches and over in width shall be 
provided with a center hand rail of metal not less than two inches 
in diameter, placed at a height of about 3 feet 0 inches above the 
center of the treads. Such hand rail shall be supported on wrought 


136 


THE BUILDING CODE 


iron, steel or brass standards not less than two inches in dia¬ 
meter, which standards shall be placed not less than 4 feet 0 
inches nor more than 6 feet 0 inches apart, and securely 
fastened or bolted to the treads or risers, or to both. At the head 
of each such flight of stairs and at each landing, there shall be a 
post or standard at least 6 feet 0 inches in height to which the 
said hand rail shall be securely fastened. 

SECTION 848. In every theatre there shall be a masonry 
division wall separating the stage from the auditorium of thickness 
required by this Code and in no part less than 12 inches of brick 
or its equivalent, which wall shall extend at least 4 feet'O inches 
above the highest adjoining roof of the stage or auditorium. The 
wall above the proscenium opening shall be supported by a beam 
or beams of iron, steel or reinforced concrete thoroughly fireproof¬ 
ed as required in fireproof buildings, or by a proper combination of 
such beam or beams and masonry arch. 

No doorway or opening through the proscenium wall from 
the auditorium other than proscenium arch shall be allowed above 
the level of the stage floor, except as hereinafter provided. Such 
openings, as are allowed below the stage floor, shall have approved 
fireproof doors on each side of the wall, and the doors shall be 
hung so as to be opened from either side at all times without keys. 

Nothing in this ordinance shall prevent one opening through the 
proscenium wall on each side of the proscenium arch, at the audi¬ 
torium floor level, not exceeding 21 square feet in area, provided 
such openings be protected on each side by approved self-cosing 
doors. 

SECTION 849. The main curtain in the opening of the pros¬ 
cenium wall of every theatre shall be composed of long fibre as¬ 
bestos twisted on brass wire and woven into a close cloth. The 
laps shall be sewed with two lines of brass and asbestos stitching, 
which laps shall not be less than one inch wide. Said cloth shall be 
lapped at least four times around the top and around the bottom 
bars with at least three lines of the stitching above specified. 

The edge of the curtain shall be continuously reinforced by 
lapping and stitching and also with pieces of sheet metal for clips. 
The curtain shall be at least 30 inches wider and higher than the 
masonry opening, and shall have steel top and bottom bars of not 
less than two square inches in cross section, which bars shall be 
connected by four steel cables 3-16 inch in diameter. 

There shall be % inch standing cable with ends secured to 
steel brackets fastened to the wall and the lower ends amply 
counter-weighted to keep the cables taut at all times and where 
the cables pass through the stage floor, the holes shall be metal 
bushed. 

The curtain shall have hardwood eyelets not over 18 inches 
center to center, around the standing cables on both vertical 
edges, which eyelets shall be secured to the curtain by brass clips 
riveted to the curtain with double sheet metal reinforcing. 

There shall be steel lifting cables, y 2 inch in diameter, at each 
end of the curtain and at intermediate points not over 15 feet 0 
inches apart attached to drum or pulleys located above the cur¬ 
tain. 

There shall be emergency chains midway between the lifting 
cables to hold the curtain, which shall be equal in strength and 
efficiency to the lifting cables. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


137 


There shall be substantial steel guides on each side of the 
curtain from the stage floor to the level of the overhead sheaves. 
The metal guides shall lap the edges of the curtain not less than 
6 inches. The curtain shall be incombustible in all its parts and 
its operating devices. 

The painting and the manner of tripping the curtain and the 
number of and the location of places for tripping shall be subject 
to the approval of the Fire Marshal. 

A permit shall be obtained from the Superintendent of 
Buildings for the erection of each such curtain. 

SECTION 850. In all theatres all stage scenery and framing, 
curtains and decorations made of inflammable material belonging 
to the building shall be painted or saturated with a paint or 
chemical solution which will render it non-inflammable, and shall 
be tested and approved by the Superintendent of Buildings and the 
Fire Marshall. Scenery painted with water color paint may be 
considered non-inflammable. 

SECTION 851. In all theatres except one-story non-fireproof 
theatres outside the First Building District, the walls separating 
the actors ’ dressing rooms from the stage and the partitions divid¬ 
ing the dressings rooms, together with the partitions of every 
passageway from the same to the stage, and all other partitions 
on or about the stage, shall be fireproof. All doors in any of the 
said partitions shall be fireproof. All shelving and cupboards in 
dressing rooms, property rooms or other storage rooms shall be 
constructed of metal, slate or of asbestos board not less than 3-16 
inches thick, or other approved fireproof material. 

Every dressing room shall have access to at least two means 
of exit, one of which shall be an independent exit leading directly 
into a street or alley or to a hall, corridor or court opening into 
a street or alley. Dressing rooms shall not be more than one story 
below the lowest street or alley adjoining the theatre. All stairs 
leading to dressing or' other rooms above or below the stage ex¬ 
cept one-story non-fireproof theatres, shall be of iron or steel or 
other approved fireproof material, and not less than 3 feet 0 inches 
in width. 

All windows back of the proscenium wall shall be arranged 
to open, and none of the windows in outside walls shall have fixed 
sashes, iron grilles or bars. 

No workshop, storage or general property room shall be located 
on the auditorium side of the proscenium wall nor in any of the 
fly galleries. 

SECTION 852. In every theatre other than one-story non- 
fireproof theatres, the stage floor shall be constructed as required 
for floors in fireproof buildings, except that openings may be left 
therein for the working of the scenery, traps and other mechanical 
apparatus; provided, said openings, when not in use shall be cov¬ 
ered with boards or trap doors of maple, oak or other hard wood 
not less than 1% inches thick or vertical grain fir, not less than 3 
inches thick and all supports shall be metal or metal covered or 
of other approved equivalent construction. 

SECTION 853. In every theatre having a seating capacity 
of 500 or more, the rigging loft shall be constructed of iron or 
steel throughout, and fly gallery floors shall be of fireproof con- 


138 


THE BUILDING CODE 


struction. In theatres having a seating capacity of less than 500 
the rigging loft and fly galleries may be • of wood, with steel sup¬ 
ports as required for amusement halls. 

SECTION 854. In every theatre there shall be provided over 
the stage and with direct and open communication through any 
ceiling thereof, a metal framed skylight * or skylights or other 
smoke vent openings equal in area to not less than 1-10 of the area 
of the stage. No single opening shall be of an area less than 1-5 of 
the total required area. The smoke vent openings shall be closed 
by shutters so constructed that they will open by their own 
weight. 

Skylights used as such smoke vents shall be fitted with rolling 
sash shutters having suitable brass or other non-rusting metal 
wheels, journals andtracks.The tracks shall extend the entire length 
of the sash and an equal distance beyond the opening with a slope 
of not less than 1 to 10. The sash shall be glazed with common 
glass not more than % inch thick, in panes not less than 300 
square inches in area, and shall be set on curbs so located that the 
lowest portion of the tracks on which they run will be not less than 
1 foot 0 inches above the roof. Immediately underneath the glass 
of all said skylights there shall be wire netting of not more than 
1 inch mesh. All parts of shutters and frames shall be of incom¬ 
bustible materials. 

If shutters Occupying a vertical position when closed are used, 
they shall be hinged at the bottom and provided with a metal 
weight which shall cause them to open outward. This weight shall 
be so placed that the shutter is held in a closed position by a rope 
and on release of the rope the shutter will open its full Width. 

All such skylights and other Smoke vent shutters shall be so 
constructed that the entire area of each will open instantly upon 
the cutting, burning or releasing of a loose twisted hemp cord 
not more than % inch in diameter. Such cord shall be so arranged 
as to hold said skylight or other vent shutters closed, and shall 
be carried downward to the lowest level that will not interfere 
with the scenery or rigging, and then carried through steel or 
wrought iron pulleys not less than 3 inches in diameter, with 
flanges not less than 1 inch wide, so arranged that the cord will 
cross the full width and length of the stage in both directions. 
Each of the portions of the cord crossing the stage shall be pro¬ 
vided with two or more fusible link devices, one on each side of 
the stage, which will operate to release said cord at a temperature 
of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In addition to the above required hempen cord, there shall 
extend from the skylight or other shutters to each fly gallery and 
to the stage floor in a location approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings, metal cords, or wires, so arranged that when pulled 
they will instantly cut off and release the hempen cord at the 
skylight or other smoke vent shutters and allow them to open. 
There shall be provided in each fly gallery and at the stage level 
a permanent sign in plain letters not less than 1 inch high, bearing 
the words, “In case of fire pull this cord to open smoke vents.” 

No fastening or other device for holding the shutters of the 
smoke vent openings in a closed position, other than the ropes with 
fusible links shall be attached to any such shutter. 

No obstruction of any kind shall be placed in the way of a 
complete draft from the stage to the smoke vent openings except 


THE BUILDING CODE 


139 


that required for the operation of the scenery. The entire grid¬ 
iron shall be an open one, and no flooring shall be placed thereon. 

SECTION 855. Good and sufficient air and ventilation shall 
be provided for all theatres. The auditorium of every theatre 
having a seating capacity of 500 persons or more shall be pro¬ 
vided with a system of mechanical ventilation which shall pro¬ 
vide 10 cubic feet of good outside air per minute for each person. 
Every such system shall be as approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings. 

All dressing rooms and other rooms in the theatre must be 
properly ventilated. Where registers or vents are provided back 
of the proscenium wall, they must be of fireproof material and 
arranged with approved automatic closing devices. 

SECTION 856. In every building containing a theatre every 
portion of the building devoted to the use of the public and all 
outlets leading to the streets, including the open courts, halls and 
corridors, shall be well lighted with electricity during every per¬ 
formance, and shall remain lighted until the audience has left the 
premises. All said lights in the halls, courts, corridors, lobbies, 
or any other part of said building used by the audience, except 
the auditorium, must be controlled by a separate shut-off located 
in the box-office and controlled only in that particular place. The 
stage lighting shall be on a separate circuit from the auditorium. 

Every exit shall have over the same on the inside the word 
“Exit ,” painted in legible letters not less than six inches in 
height, and also a red light of not less than 16 eandlepower, on a 
circuit independent from all other lights in the building. 

SECTION 857. On the program of each performance in 
every theatre, there shall be printed in plain black lines a dia¬ 
gram or plan of every gallery or floor, each plan occupying a space 
of not less than 12 square inches and showing distinctly the location 
of all exits, followed by a concise description of the exits and their 
locations. 

SECTION 858. All theatres shall be provided with stand pipes 
not less than 4 inches in diameter, as follows: One on each side of 
the auditorium with hose attachments on each floor; at least one on 
each side of the stage so near the proscenium arch as never to be 
obstructed, and with hose attachment on each floor, fly gallery 
and gridiron, and one in the carpenter shop or storage room if 
the same be in or contiguous to the building. All such hose at¬ 
tachments shall be kept clear from obstructions. Said stand pipes 
shall be separate and distinct, receiving their supply of water 
from the street main through a connection of at least the same area 
as the stand pipes. 

They shall be fitted with good 2% inch valves at each outlet. 
National standard 2^ inch coupling threads, reducers from 2% to 
1%-inch, and shall be kept continually under the city water 
pressure and ready for immediate use. There shall be kept at¬ 
tached to each standpipe outlet 50 feet, or such length as may be 
directed by the Fire Marshal, of 1%-inch unlined linen hose, in 
good condition, and having a suitable nozzle attached. There shall 
be kept alongside of each outlet one spanner for each size of 
coupling. 

In addition to the above, there shall be at least one 4-inch 
stand-pipe exending from 5 feet 0 inches above the street or alley 


140 


THE BUILDING CODE 


grade to the roof and alongside of its regnlation iron ladder fire 
escape, giving easy access to the roof. Such standpipe shall be 
so located by the Fire Marshal as to make important windows or 
doors accessible, and so that other fire escape balconies may serve 
for the ladder. At the bottom of this standpipe there shall be a 
two-way automatic Siamese connection with National standard 
2%-inch coupling threads. At the top of this standpipe and at 
each window or door it passes, there shall be outlets with good 
2%-inch valves and National standard coupling threads. 

A separate and distinct system of automatic sprinkler pipes 
shall be placed in the soffit of the proscenium arch and behind 
the proscenium wall, not connected in any manner with the stand¬ 
pipe, but supplied with water from the city service and a tank or 
tanks so located as to develop pressure of at least 10 pounds per 
square inch at the highest sprinkler heads and containing not less 
than one gallon of water for each square foot of floor area to be 
sprinkled, which tanks shall be at all times filled with water. Said 
pipes shall connect with automatic sprinklers which will operate 
at a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and so arranged as to 
sprinkle every square foot of stage in front of the curtain and the 
entire floor area behind the proscenium wall, including the stage, 
the rigging loft, the fly galleries, all dressing rooms, property 
rooms, store rooms, paint rooms, stairs and the carpenter shop. 

There shall be connected with the main supply pipe of the 
sprinkler system a pipe of the same size with suitable check valves, 
which latter pipe shall run to a convenient point outside the 
building and end in a two-way automatic Siamese connection with 
National standard 2%-inch coupling threads. All piping' for 
standpipes shall be strong and well galvanized. 

SECTION 859. No floor register for heating purposes shall be 
used in any theatre and no coil or radiator shall be placed in any 
aisle, or hall corridor, stairway or passageway used for egress, but 
the same shall be placed in recesses formed in walls or partitions. 

All supply, return or exhaust pipes containing hot water or 
steam, shall be encased and protected by not less than two inches 
of concrete, or metal collars with not less than %-inch open space 
around the pipe, where the same pass through any floor or wood¬ 
work. 

No boiler or furnace used for heating or other purposes shall 
be located within the enclosing walls of a theatre, nor under any 
passageway, court or stairway used as a means of egress. 

SECTION 860. There shall be maintained in good order in 
every theatre approved liquid chemical fire extinguishers. One of 
these shall be in the office, one on the stage on each side of the 
proscenium arch, and others in such locations as may be designated 
by the Fire Marshal. With each extinguisher there shall be one 
pick head fire axe. There shall be in a conspicuous location on the. 
stage three hooks with handles 25 feet, 15 feet and 10 feet long. 

There shall also be kept in readiness for immediate use on the 
stage at least four casks of water, and two buckets to each cask. 
The casks and buckets shall be painted red. 

SECTION 861. Every theatre shall be provided with an aux¬ 
iliary electrical fire alarm system, which shall be connected with 
and operate a mam fire alarm box located outside of the theatre 


THE BUILDING CODE 


141 


building, but within the width of an abutting street of it, and con¬ 
nected with the city fire alarm system. 

SECTION 862. The agent, lessee or manager, in active charge 
of every theatre shall institute and maintain, under the direction 
of the Fire Marshal, such systems of fire drills that each employe 
in the theatre shall be trained to do a certain portion of the work 
of preventing and extinguishing fire and providing for the safety 
of human life. Drill work will include inspections of the curtain 
and stage vents and of all fire apparatus, devices and appliances 
and the necessary tests. In the months of October and April of 
each year, at a time of day when no performance is on, every 
theatre and its fire drills shall be jointly inspected by the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings and the Chief of Fire Department or the 
Fire Marshal. At such times the stage vents shall be operated, 
the asbestos curtain lowered and such other tests made as may be 
deemed necessary by the officials mentioned. 

No theatre shall be opened to the public unless such fire 
apparatus is in it's proper place and in good working order. 

SECTION 863. No theatre, hereafter erected or altered to the 
extent of 40 per cent, of the original cost, shall be used as a place 
of public entertainment unless the same shall in all respects con¬ 
form to the provisions of this Code relating to the construction of 
theatres. 

SECTION 864. No theatre hereafter erected or altered shall 
be open to the public for public entertainment of any kind until 
the Superintendent of Buildings shall have examined the same 
and issued and recorded in his office a written certificate signed by 
him and by the Fire Marshal to the effect that such theatre con¬ 
forms to the provisions of this Code, or to the ordinance under 
which the permit was issued, and no license for public entertain¬ 
ment in such theatre shall be granted or issued except upon pre¬ 
sentation to the City Comptroller of sqch certificate. 

MOVING PICTURE THEATRES. 

SECTION 865. The term Moving Picture Theatre in this 
ordinance means a place of public assembly where celluloid or 
other combustible films are employed in the projection of pictures 
or other representations before an assemblage of people. The term 
shall apply to the place of assembly and to all rooms, passages and 
other parts of the building connected to or used in connection with 

such place. . . 

The term Moving Picture Machine in this ordinance shall 
apply to any form of mechanism using celluloid or other combus¬ 
tible films for the projection of pictures as above. 

Every Moving Picture Theatre shall be well and properly ven¬ 
tilated and shall comply with the provisions relating to Public 
Assembly Halls and to the following special requirements: 

Any place used as a Moving Picture Theatre, having a seating 
capacity of 750 or more, shall be subject to all the provisions 
relating to Theatres. 

SECTION 866. Every building of other than fireproof or mill 
construction, when containing a Moving Picture Theatre, must 
have all its walls, partitions and ceilings plastered, using cement 


142 


THE BUILDING GODE 


plaster, if in the first building district, or must have finish deemed 
equally fire resistive by the Superintendent of Buildings; pro¬ 
vided, that isolated one-story Moving Picture Theatres outside of 
the second building district may be unplastered except as else¬ 
where required by law. 

Every Moving Picture Theatre having a balcony, gallery or 
galleries for seating the public shall be fireproof. 

*No Moving Picture Theatre shall be operated unless cut off 
from all other portions of the building in which it is located by 
fireproof or fire restrictive walls or partitions and ceilings in 
which any necessary openings are protected by self-closing fire¬ 
proof doors. 

SECTION 867. No Moving Picture Machine shall be operated 
in any place of assembly that does not open directly upon a street 
or alley. 


SECTION 868. The entrances to all Moving Picture Theatres 
must be at least 5 feet in width. 

In addition to the above required entrance, there shall be pro¬ 
vided for every Moving Picture Theatre having within its en¬ 
closing walls 2,000 square feet or less of floor area, one exit at least 
4'0" wide, located at or near the opposite end of the room from the 
entrance,—and leading direct to an alley or street; and one ad¬ 
ditional exit 4'0" wide for each 1,000 square feet or major fraction 
thereof of floor area. 

All exits must be located as approved by the Superintendent 
of Buildings, and must approach the street or alley by easy grad¬ 
ient or approved stairs; provided, that Moving Picture Theatres 
having the moving picture machine at the rear, or end opposite 
the entrance, and having the specified number and widths of en¬ 
trances and exits conveniently located shall only be required to 
have such rear exits as will offer convenient means of egress for all 
persons operating the machine and otherwise employed in that 
part of the Theatre. 

During the time that a moving picture machine is being 
operated or any assemblage of people gathered, doors and entrances 
and exits shall not be held closed by any fastenings that cannot 
be easily and quickly released by anybody from the inside with¬ 
out the use of a key. All said doors must be so hung as to swing 
outward. There shall be nothing to obstruct free passage at en¬ 
trances and exits. 

All Moving Picture Theatres having galleries must as a mini¬ 
mum requirement have all aisles, stairways and exits arranged 
and constructed as required for Public Assembly Halls. 


SECTION 869. Every aisle in Moving Picture Theatres must 
be at least 3'0" in minimum width, and for auditorium floors must 
increase toward the entrance at least one inch in width for every 
5 running feet and shall lead directly to the exits. Steps in aisles 
of the auditorium floor will not be permitted. Aisles must not 
have a maximum gradient of more than 10% unless approved by 
the Superintendent of Buildings. 

No moving picture machine shall be operated in any theatre, 


■ *At a session of the Board of Appeal held October 14 1913 it 
was resolved that section 866 of the Building Code should be con¬ 
strued as meaning wood lath and plaster with sufficient firestops 



THE BUILDING CODE 


143 


room or hall in which chairs or other furniture or other obstruc¬ 
tions, whether by persons or things, are within the lines of aisles 
and passages as defined and described in this ordinance. 

SECTION 870. All seats in every Moving Picture Theatre 
must be securely fastened to the floor and be at least 32 inches, 
back to back. From any seats there shall not be more than 6 
intervening seats to an aisle. 

SIZE OF BOOTH. 

SECTION 871. Every machine installed or operated shall 
be enclosed within a booth. 

All booths shall be at least 7'0 V high and have the following 
floor space according to the number of machines: 


1 Picture Machine .:......;...6 ft. x 8 ft. 

1 Picture Machine and stereopticon . 9 ft. x 8 ft. 

2 Picture Machines with or without stereopticon ........ 12 ft. x 8 ft. 


Each booth must have one door 2'0" wide by 6'0" high, open¬ 
ing outward, closed by a strong spring and kept closed while the 
machine inside is in opeation. 

FIREPROOF BOOTHS. 

SECTION 872. Within the First Building District, no Moving 
Picture machine shall be operated in any Moving Picture Theatre 
unless, said machine or machines be inside of a booth constructed 
according to the following specifications: 

The booth shall have a substantial braced frame of structural 
steel with riveted or bolted connections. The door must be of 
corresponding construction, and must be substantially hung with 
hinges in an angle iron frame and must be self-closing. 

The covering of the top, sides and bottom must be of ap¬ 
proved heavy sheet metal or asbestos lumber with all joints suffi¬ 
ciently lapped or covered and made tight. 

PROTECTED WOOD BOOTHS. 

SECTION 873. Outside the First Building. District, Moving 
Picture Machines may be operated in Moving Picture Theatres if 
said machines be inside of booths made according to the following 
or equivalent specifications: 

The booth shall have a substantial wood frame and shall be 
enclosed on the sides, the top and bottom with %-inch matched 
sheathing. The door must be of corresponding construction and 
must be substantially hinged and made self L closing. 

The ceiling and inside of Moving Picture booth walls, shall 
be protected by a close fitting covering of tin with locked joints, 
and floor must be covered with approved asbestos lumber or other 
approved non-combustible covering. The exterior of walls and roof 
shall be of hard plaster or metal lath applied close to the wood 
sheathing. 

SECTION 874. There shall be not more than two openings in 
the booth for each Moving Picture Machine, one for the operator 
and one for the machine. The opening for the operator's view 





144 


THE BUILDING CODE 


shall not exceed 48 square inches and the opening for the machine 
shall not exceed 64 square inches. 

The openings shall be provided with gravity shutters of not 
less than No. 14 B. & S. gauge sheet metal, sliding in metal guides 
at least twice as long as the shutter, which, when closed, shall 
overlap the window opening at least one inch on all sides. The 
shutters shall be held open by a small combustible cord in series 
with a fusible link at each opening and one on the main cord so ar¬ 
ranged that the link is suspended directly over the film when in 
the slide of the apparatus. The cord shall be so placed that the 
shutters may be easily released by hand. 

(Rubber bumpers, for shutters to strike against when closing, 
are required.) 

SECTION 875: There shall not be more than two shelves, 12 
inches wide and 4'0" long, in any Moving Picture Booth, one for 
rewinding and the other for storage. All shelves must be of slate, 
steel or other fireproof construction, or if constructed of wood shall 
be at least % inch thick and entirely covered with tin, with lock 
joints, and shall be supported by iron brackets. 

The reels for the films on the machine must be encased in 
steel boxes with opening just large enough for the film to pass 
through, with covers so arranged that these openings can be in¬ 
stantly closed. No solder shall be used in the construction of these 
boxes. 

A shutter must be provided in front of the condenser of the 
machine, arranged to be readily closed by the operator. 

A separate metal case made without solder, shall be provided 
for each film when the film is not in the machine. All films must 
be kept in these cases. 

SECTION 876. Every permanent Moving Picture Booth must 
be provided with an air inlet in two opposite sides of the booth 
for supplying fresh air for the operator. Each inlet must be 
12 inches long by 3 inches high, the bottom located 3 inches above 
the floor of the booth. All inlets must be covered with wire net¬ 
ting of not greater than % inch mesh and must be securely fasten¬ 
ed to the covering of the booth by means of metal strips and bolts 
or screws. 

Near the center of the top of the booth shall be a circular 
opening at least 8 inches in diameter provided with a sheet iron 
flange securely fastened to the roof covering and made perfectly 
tight to prevent smoke getting out. Securely fastened to this 
flange shall be a vent pipe of sheet metal not less than 8 inches in 
diameter which shall lead to the outside of the building or into 
a fireproof flue. Such metal pipe shall be protected or spaced 
where it passes near any wook work according to the provisions 
of this Code governing stove pipes. 

Inlets and outlets as above described may be omitted if booth 
has window through outside wall, supplying equivalent natural 
ventilation. 

SECTION 877. If the house lights are controlled from within 
the Moving Picture Booth, an additional emergency control must 
be provided near the entrance, and kept at all times in good con¬ 
dition. 

in the booth one light will be allowed for each machine and 
one for the rewinding bench, all separated by wire baskets but no 


THE BUILDING CODE 


145 


cutouts for any purpose whatever will be allowed within the 
booth. In the exhibition room there shall be provided a separate 
system of house lighting, and a separate system for red lights 
over exits, both controlled by a switchboard located at the en¬ 
trance and within reach of the ticket taker. There shall be one 
light at each exit in a sign with red letters at least 5 inches high 
marked “EXIT.” 

SECTION 878. Every rheostat used in any Moving Picture 
Booth must be mounted on a slate insulator properly supported on 
steel supports properly fastened to the floor. 

All machines must be securely fastened to the floor to prevent 
accidental overturning or moving of same. 

SECTION 879. There shall be maintained in good order in 
every Moving Picture Theatre two liquid chemical 
fire extinguishers, which shall be considered “approved” when 
bearing the label of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. One of 
these shall be inside the moving picture booth and one outside, 
both as directed by the Eire Marshal. 

Every Moving Picture Theatre shall be supplied with such 
portable implements or apparatus for fighting fires as are required 
for theatres of minimum seating capacity. 

SECTION 880. No Moving Picture Theatre shall be permitted 
to open for entertainment of any kind until the Superintendent of 
Buildings shall have examined the same and issued and recorded 
in his office a written certificate of approval signed by himself and 
the Fire Marshal certifying that such theatre conforms to this 
ordinance or to the permit under which the same was built, and no 
license for any public entertainment in such theatre shall be grant¬ 
ed or issued except upon presentation to the City Comptroller of 
sueh certificate. 

The Superintendent of Buildings shall notify the Fire Marshal 
of permission given to operate any Moving Picture Machine so 
that it may be thereafter inspected. 

PORTABLE BOOTHS. 

SECTION 881. Permission to use Portable Moving Picture 
Booths which have been approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings, does not extend to their use in any theatre or pubiic 
hall in which permanent booths have been installed, nor are they 
to be considered as serving the purpose of permanent booths. No 
Moving Picture Machine shall be operated in a portable booth for 
any but temporary or occasional exhibitions. 

Each portable booth shall be plainly marked with the name 
of the maker and with serial number in letters and figures not less 
than 2 inches high. Before a portable booth shall be used, approv¬ 
al must be obtained from the Superintendent of Buildings and a 
special permit from the Fire Marshall shall be issued for the use 
of an approved booth, said permit referring to the name and num¬ 
ber of the booth. The operator shall be required to have this 
permit on his person whenever he may be operating or setting up 
or taking down the booth, any neglect so to hold this permit shall 
be deemed cause for the forfeiture of the operator ’s license. 

No Moving Picture Machine shall be operated in a portable 


146 


THE BUILDING CODE 


booth unless said booth be constructed according to the following 
specifications: 

Portable Asbestos Booths are to be at least 6 feet 6 inches high 
and 5 feet square are permitted for use of one picture machine 
only. 

The booth shall have a substantial metal pipe frame connected 
by approved metal pipe fittings, and there shall be a hinged ven¬ 
tilator trap on top not less than 2'0" wide extending the full 
width of the top. 

The sides and top shall be of approved asbestos cloth secured 
to the frame, and all joints except the necessary flap door must be 
made tight with non-combustible fastenings, and such covering 
shall be kept in good repair and free from rents and holes. The 
frame shall stand in the center of a 7-foot square floor mat of 
approved asbestos cloth, which must be kept in good Tepair. 

The top of the frame of every portable Moving Picture Booth 
shall be fitted at the rear with a hinged ventilator trap as de¬ 
scribed. The asbestos cloth top covering shall be so arranged and 
so attached to the frame that when the hinged trap is raised the 
asbestos covering shall be raised also at the rear. Suitable de¬ 
vices shall be supplied for maintaining this ventilator trap in a 
lifted position so as to form a clear ventilating space at the rear 
of not less than 6 inches high extending across the full width 
of the booth. 

All openings shall have edges hemmed, and shall be covered 
by asbestos flaps arranged to close automatically with cords and 
fusible links. 

SECTION 882. All details of the construction of permanent 
and portable Moving Picture Booths must be approved by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings. 

SCHOOL BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 883. The terms School Building shall include every 
building used as a place of learning, school or convent,—but shall 
not include studios or rooms used for instruction in buildings 
used for other purposes and in which the aggregate number of 
persons receiving instruction at any one time does not exceed 
100. School Buildings shall conform to the classes of buildings in 
the several building districts, and to the following special pro¬ 
visions: 

SECTION 884. School Buildings which have a seating capa¬ 
city of 300 or less and which are not over two stories and basement 
in height are not specially limited as to class; provided that no 
portion of such building if of frame construction shall be used for 
assembly hall purposes above the first floor. 

School Buildings which have a greater seating capacity than 
300 and not exceeding 1,000, and which are more than one story 
and not over three stories and basement in height, shall be built of 
mill or fireproof construction. 

School Buildings which have a greater seating capacity than 
1,000 and which are more than one story and basement in height, 
shall be built entirely of fireproof construction, except that the 
roof may be of mill construction outside the First Building Dis¬ 
trict, provided that no timber truss shall be used of such design 


THE BUILDING CODE 


147 


that its deflection would produce outward thrust upon the bearing 
walls or piers, and provided the roof is covered with incombustible 
material. 

School Buildings over three stories and basement in height 
shall be of fireproof construction including the roof. 

SECTION 885. Where additions are made to School Build¬ 
ings already erected, provided that such buildings are not more 
than two stories in height, the construction, if approved by the 
Superintendent of Buildings, may be of the same kind of materials 
as used in the old buildings to which additions are made, provided 
that the heating plants in such buildings are located in fireproof 
rooms, and that all new stairways are constructed of fireproof 
materials. 

SECTION 886. It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain 
any class room for school purposes in the basement of any school 
building hereafter erected, except for teaching domestic science, 
manual training or physical culture, if the floor of such room is 
below the surface of the surrounding ground on all sides of such 
room. 

SECTION 887. No story above the basement story of any 
School Building shall be less than 12'0" in height. 

Any attic story in any building in which school or class rooms 
are fitted up shall be considered as a story in the height of such 
building. 

SECTION 888. The total glass area of outside windows and 
skylights of each class room, recitation room or study room in 
School Buildings shall not be less than one-fifth of the floor area 
of such room. 

SECTION 889. Assembly halls in connection with schools and 
colleges shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions re¬ 
lating to Public Assembly Halls, so far as the same are applicable, 
except as otherwise specifically provided. 

SECTION 890. No part of the main floor of any assembly 
hall or auditorium in any School Building having a seating capacity 
exceeding 400 shall be at a greater height than 14'0" above the 
ground adjoining such building. 

SECTION 891. Every auditorium or assembly hall in School 
Buildings having a seating capacity of more than 500 shall be 
provided with such emergency exists and stairways as are required 
for Public Assembly Halls unless otherwise approved by the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings. The exits shall be marked and lighted 
as in Public Assembly Halls. 

SECTION 892. The minimum width for corridors, passage¬ 
ways, hallways and doOrs in school buildings shall be - not less 
than 6'0" for corridors, passageways and hallways, and not less 
than 3'0" for doors, except where two or more doors are grouped 
together, in which cases the minimum width of each of such doors 
shall be at least 2'6". 

All doors throughout such buildings shall open- outward, and 
all entrance and exit doors shall be unlocked at all times when 
such buildings are occupied for school purposes or by the public. 


148 


THE BUILDING CODE 


The fastenings for all doors shall be of such type as may be 
easily operated from the inside by means of a lever or other satis¬ 
factory device to draw the bolts or fastenings. 

SECTION 893. The width of aisles in auditorium and assem¬ 
bly halls in School Buildings shall be as required in Public As¬ 
sembly Halls. All groups of seats shall be so arranged that they 
shall have an aisle on each side, and not more than 12 seats in any 
one row shall be placed between aisles, and all such seats shall be 
securely fastened to the floor. 

Main aisles in class roofns, recitation and study rooms shall 
not be less than 2'6" in width in their narrowest parts, and ample 
exits shall be provided therefrom, provided that individual desk 
seats may be arranged as desired by the School Board subject to 
approval by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

SECTION 894. Stairways in School Buildings based on the 
combined capacity of the auditorium and school rooms shall con¬ 
form to the requirements of Public Assembly Halls. 

Provided that School Buildings having morfe than three 
rooms above the first story shall have at least two flights of stairs 
so located that each will be accessible from every room above 
the first story. 

SECTION 895. Ventilation ducts must be provided of suffi¬ 
cient capacity to change the volume of air in all class rooms at 
least once every 10 minutes with continuous operation during 
school hours, except open air class rooms. 

SECTION 896. Every portion of any School Building devoted 
to the public and all outlets therefrom leading to the streets, 
shall be well and properly lighted during the entire time such 
building is occupied by the public at night. All gas and electric 
lights in the halls, corridors, lobbies, stairs and exits shall be 
controlled by a separate cut-off, and shall be independent of all 
other lights in such building. 


PART IX. BUILDINGS FOR SPECIAL USES 

SPECIALLY HAZARDOUS STORAGE. 

SECTION 901. Every building constructed for the storage 
in quantity of articles designated as specially hazardous in the 
classification of the National Board of Fire Underwriters or for the 
storage of articles involving a similar hazard, shall be separated 
from all other buildings by a space of not less than lOO'O". No 
such building shall be more than two stories high, and combustible 
material shall not be used in its construction. No room in such, 
building shall have a greater area than 300 square feet, and all 
dividing walls shall be made of brick not less than 12 inches thick,, 
or of equivalent concrete construction. 

PBOHIBITED BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 902. ..No building shall be constructed and no 
building not now used for such purposes shall be constructed, 
altered or repaired to be used for any of the following purposes. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


149 

within the city limits, without the consent of the City Council and 
the Mayor: 

a. Confinement of insane children or adults. 

b. Distillation of spirits of turpentine or varnish. 

c. Manufacture of cotton wadding, laps or bats. 

d. Manufacture of explosives. 

e. Refining of petroleum or any of its products. 

f. Rendering of fats, lards and like products. 

g. Hair factory. 

h. Lime kiln. 

i. Tannery. 

j. Refinery. 

k. Abattoir. 

l. Glue factory. 

m. Manufacture of roofing materials of chemical composition. 

n. Pulverizing charcoal. 

o. Stock yards. 

p. Poudrette works. 

q. Asphalt plant. 

r. Manufacture of fertillizers. 

s. Smelter. 

All such buildings shall be known as Prohibited Buildings. 

SECTION 903. Repairs not exceeding one-quarter of the value 
of the building during any one year may be permitted by the 
Superintendent of Buildings where any Prohibited Building is 
being used for such purposes at the time of passage of this or¬ 
dinance. 

SECTION 904. Before any ordinance shall be passed authoriz¬ 
ing the construction, alteration and repair of any Prohibited 
Building at least 10 days’ notice shall be given by.the person or 
persons or corporation interested or applying for such authority 
of the intended application for the passage of such ordinance by 
a publication to that effect of at least four insertions in two or 
more daily newspapers published in the City of Seattle. Such 
notice shall specify the lot of ground or premises upon which 
such building or other structure is to be erected, altered or re¬ 
paired, and the purposes for whieh the same is intended to be 
used in sufficient detail to apprise the property owners or holders 
in the vicinity of the proposed improvement of the exact location 
and nature of the same. The Superintendent of Buildings shall 
cause notice of every such application to be conspicuously posted 
upon the property. 

LIMITED BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 905. The following buildings shall be limited as to 
location: 

a. Hospitals and buildings for the treatment of the feeble 

minded. 

b. Sanitariums. 

c. Dairies. 

d. Dog pounds. 

e. Blacksmith shops. 

f. Junk shops. 

g. Rag shops. 


150 


THE BUILDING CODE 


h. Brick, tile and terra cotta factories. 

i. Stoneware and earthenware factories. 

j. Paint factories. 

k. Soap factories. 

l. Candle factories. 

m. Woodworking factories. 

n. Lumber yards. 

o. Planing mills. 

p. Iron mills. 

q. Foundries. 

r. Breweries. 

s. Distilleries. 

t. Packing Houses. 

u. Gas Works. 

v. Acid works. 

All such buildings shall be known as Limited Buildings. 

SECTION 906. No permit shall be issued for any Limited 
Building until at least 10 days’ notice of the application therefor 
has been published no less than four times in two or more daily 
newspapers in the City of Seattle, and until notice of such appli¬ 
cation has been conspicuously posted upon the property for a like 
period of time. 

The owner of any property within 500'0" of the proposed lo¬ 
cation of any limited building may file a protest with the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings, and the matter shall be referred to the 
Board of Public Works for determination in accordance with the 
method of procedure prescribed in this Code for the approval or 
disapproval of the location of stables. 

PLACES OF REFUGE AND DETENTION 

SECTION 910. All buildings used for Places of Refuge and 
Detention if three stories in height above the established grade, 
shall be of fireproof or mill construction. Such buildings if more 
than three stories high, shall be of fireproof construction; and no 
such buildings other than police stations or jails shall exceed six 
stories in height. 

SECTION 911. In all corridors and rooms used by patients in 
every building hereafter constructed for or converted to hospital 
purposes, all reentrant intersections of walls, floors and ceilings 
shall be formed with tangent coves. 

SECTION 912. Every building over three stories in height 
hereafter constructed for or converted to hospital purposes shall 
have at least one elevator, the floor dimensions of which shall 
not be less than 7'0" by 5'0", and said elevator shall be enclosed in 
a fireproof shaft with incombustible doors closing off each opening 
and shall comply with all the general provisions of this Code re¬ 
lating to elevators. 

SECTION 913. All buildings used for Places of Refuge and 
Detention shall be equipped with fire escapes not less than 3'0" 
in width which shall, in number, location and structural features, 
comply with all the general provisions of this Code relating to fire 
escapes. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


151 


STABLES. 

SECTION 920. All stable floors, except as hereinafter pro¬ 
vided, shall be constructed of concrete at least 4 inches thick with 
a smoothly troweled wearing surface at least %-inch thick, com¬ 
posed of Portland cement and an equal quantify of sand; provided, 
that in lieu of a cement wearing surface vitrified paving brick with 
grouted joints or asphaltum or other suitable wearing surface may 
be permitted by the Superintendent of Buildings. No concrete 
or brick stable floor shall be supported by wood joists or be laid 
on plank. 

SECTION 921. In case no part of a stable floor is less than 
18 inches above the ground thereunder or adjacent thereto, such 
floor may be constructed of wood not less than 3% inch thick, 
composed of two thicknesses of tongued and grooved or splined 
plank driven tight with white lead paste in all joints, or of one 
thickness with all joints calked with oakum and pitch. All wood 
floors in stables must be built and maintained so as to be water 
tight; must have adequate provisions for expansion, if within 
masonry walls, and must have thorough cross ventilation beneath 
same. 

SECTION 922. All stall floors shall drain into gutters. Such 
gutters and all sumps for washing of vehicles shall be connected 
to a drainage system of cast iron pipe leading to a trapped catch 
basin, and from such catch basin proper connection shall be made 
to a public sewer or cesspool. Openings from gutters and sumps 
to drains shall be protected by iron strainers set in iron frames 
so as to be removable. Drainage pipe shall be not less than 4 in. 
in diameter, except that laterals draining but one stall may be 
of 3-inch pipe. Catch basins must be constructed of masonry or 
iron and be at least 2'0" in any internal dimension, and be pro¬ 
vided with vent pipe not more than 8 inches from seal. 

A %-inch hose bib, equipped with hose, shall be so placed that 
the drainage system may readily be flushed, and it shall be requir¬ 
ed that all stable floors be thoroughly cleansed and flushed at least 
twice each week. 

SECTION 923. Every stable capable of acc®mmodating 10 or 
more animals shall be provided with fully equipped fire hose reel or 
racks connected to an adequate source of water supply through 
not less than 1%-inch pipe; said reels or racks shall be of such 
number and so placed that with 50'0" of hose and %-inch nozzle 
with water pressure of 20 pounds per square inch all parts of the 
building may be reached. 

SECTION 924. Every stable must be provided with one or 
more than one water-tight and tightly closed receptacle for man¬ 
ure, of such dimensions as to contain all accumulations of manure, 
and no manure shall be allowed to accumulate on the floors or on 
adjacent grounds; provided, however, that on premises in the 
Third and Fourth Building Districts of one acre or more in ex¬ 
tent, manure may be stacked with the approval of the Commiss¬ 
ioner of Health. Receptacles for manure located within any build¬ 
ing shall be vented, through an air-tight shaft of at least 48 inches 
sectional area leading to and above the level of the roof and to 
a point more than 20'0" from any adjacent property. 


152 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 925. Every stable capable of accommodating from 
five to ten animals shall have at least two exits 5'0" or more in 
width, at least 30'0" apart and at opposite ends of the building 
when praticable. Every stable capable of accommodating more 
than 10 and less than 50 animals, shall have exits as hereinabove 
required except that the minimum aggregate width thereof shall 
be increased 6 inches for each additional 10 animals. Every 
stable capable of accommodating more than 50 animals shall in 
addition to the exits hereinbefore required, have an additional exit 
or exits, as in the judgment of the Superintendent of Buildings the 
exigency of the case may require. 


SECTION 926. Stables located above the ground floor shall 
have runways equal in number and width to the exits required by 
this ordinance, terminating at the exits; said runways to have 
no greater pitch than 6 to 12. 

SECTION 927. No portion of the ground adjacent to any 
stable shall be used for the purpose of allowing animals to stand 
or run at large, unless approved by the Commissioner of Health. 


SECTION 928. It shall be unlawful to erect or convert a 
building to be used as a stable within the Third or Fourth Build¬ 
ing Districts to house animals for hire or as a boarding, community 
or dairy stable without their be filed with the application for a 
permit the written consent thereto of the owners of two-thirds 
of the remaining property located within 200'0" of the proposed 
stable; provided, however, that should there be no building with¬ 
in 200'0" of the proposed stable occupied as a place of habitation, 
a place of refuge or detention, or a place of assembly, such sig¬ 
natures of consent shall not be required. 

A stable accommodating one cow or a cow and a «alf shall not 
be regarded as dairy stable. 


SECTION 929. Applications for permits to erect buildings 
for stable purposes in the First Building District, or to erect, al¬ 
ter or convert buildings for stable purposes when located more 
than 200' 0" from any building occupied as a place of habitation, 
a place of refuge or detention, or a place of public assembly, shall 
be exempt from the following special requirements contained in 
this section: 


If an application is filed with the Superintendent of Buildings 
for a permit to erect or alter a building to be used as a stable, 
or to make alterations intended to increase the capacity of a 
stable outside the First Building District and within 200'0" of 
any place of habitation, place of refuge or detention, or place of 
public assembly, it shall be the duty of the Superintendent of 
Buildings to cause a placard to be conspicuously posted on the 
site of such proposed stable not later than 48 hours after the filing 
of the application for such permit stating thereon the number 
of animals to be accommodated, the date of the filing of the 
application, the date of public hearing in the event of protests 
being filed, and giving all necessary instructions for the prepara¬ 
tion and filing of protests. 

Protests against the location of a stable or the increase in 
capacity of a stable must be in writing, signed by the owners of 
property within 200'0" of the proposed stable and such protest must 


THE BUILDING CODE 


153 


plainly indicate by lot and block number the location of prop¬ 
erty owned by the protestant. 

If any such protest is filed in the office of the Superintendent 
of Buildings within two weeks of the date that application for 
such permit is made, no permit shall issue upon said application 
unless the location of said stable be approved by the Board of 
Public Works after the said board has given a public hearing to 
the applicant and to those who file such protest against the ap¬ 
proval of such location. 

Should no such protest be filed within the time stated, or in 
case the location is approved by the Board of Public Works after 
such hearing, the Superintendent of Buildings is authorized to is¬ 
sue such permit subject to the provisions of this Code relating to 
Stables. 


WOODYARDS. 

Section 930. (As established by Ordinance 36506). It shall 
be unlawful for any person to locate, establish, enlarge or extend 
any coal and wood yard, or any wood yard or coal yard, for the 
keeping or handling of wood, coal, kindling or other fuel prod¬ 
ucts for sale or distribution, or to erect any buildings or struc¬ 
tures to be used for such purposes, outside of the first and second 
building districts of the City of Seattle, without first procuring 
a permit therefor from the Superintendent of Buildings as here¬ 
inafter provided: 

Application for a permit for the erection, location, mainte¬ 
nance, alteration, enlarging or extending of any such yard shall be 
filed with the Superintendent of Buildings whose duty it shall 
be to cause a placard to be conspicuously posted on the site where 
it is proposed to erect, locate, maintain, alter, enlarge or extend 
such yard giving notice of the filing of such application and that 
a hearing will be had before the Board of Public Works at a date 
therein stated. If any protest be filed with the Superintendent of 
Buildings within two (2) weeks of the date of the posting of 
such notice no permit shall issue upon said application unless the 
proposed location be approved by the board of public works after 
public hearing to the applicant and to those who protest against 
the approval of such location. Should no protest be filed, or in 
the event the Board of Public Works shall approve such location 
after public hearing, the Superintendent of Buildings is authorized 
to issue a permit for the erection, location, maintenance, altera¬ 
tion, enlarging or extending of such yard. The Board of Public 
Works reserves the right and authority to require such changes or 
modifications as to location or construction of any such yard or 
buildings in connection therewith as the Board may deem necessary 
and proper to protect the public interest. 

GARAGES. 

SECTION 935. All garages except as hereinafter provided, 
shall be separated from portions of the same building used for 
other purposes by fireproof walls, floors and ceilings. 

All window openings between garages and portions of the 
same building used for other purposes shall be fixed, fireproof 
windows, and all doors shall be fireproof and self-closing. 


154 


THE BUILDING CODE 


SECTION 936. A garage to accommodate not more than one 
automobile, not kept for hire, may be located in, under or adjoin¬ 
ing a building not used for sleeping purposes, or may be located 
in a dwelling, if such building or dwelling has means of egress sep¬ 
arate from the garage, and is separated from the garage by mill 
or equivalent construction containing no doors or windows other 
than the kinds above described; provided, however, that no auto¬ 
mobile propelled by steam, and requiring an open flame for gen¬ 
erating such steam, shall be kept in any dwelling or addition 
thereto. 

No garage shall be located in any building containing a place 
of assembly, refuge or detention. 

SECTION 937. No garage shall be directly heated by a 
stove, or be lighted by other means than by incandescent electric 
lights. 

No open flame shall be maintained, and there shall be no 
smoking in any garage. 

SECTION 938. No garage, other than a private garage for 
four automobiles or less not kept for hire, shall be permitted in 
that part of the Fourth Building District lying east of a line 
midway between Twelfth Avenue and Thirteenth Avenue from 
Yesler Way to Denny Way, and east of the center line of Eastlake 
Avenue from Denny Way north to Lake Washington Canal in 
blocks containing dwellings, tenement or apartment houses or flat 
buildings, unless there be filed in the office of the Superintendent 
of Buildings the written consent thereto of the owners of at least 
two-thirds of the improved property located in the said block, 
and of any other improved property within lOO'O" of such garage, 
provided that this provision shall not apply to any block or blocks 
within said district in which there is now maintained a public 
garage where automobiles are received or kept for storage, repair, 
or hire. 

SECTION 939. The foregoing provisions relating to gar¬ 
ages shall not be construed to forbid the housing of automobiles 
in Fire or Police Stations maintained by the City of Seattle. 

LAUNDRIES. 

SECTION 940. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or 
corporation hereafter to establish and maintain any building or 
premises as a public laundry or washhouse without first obtaining 
the approval of the Board of Public Works and Department of 
Health specifying the name of the permittee and the location of 
the premises to be used as a laundry or washhouse; provided, 
however, that the Board of Public Works in the granting or refus¬ 
al of such approval shall exercise a reasonable and sound discretion, 
taking into consideration the character of the applicant for such 
permit and the intended location of such laundry or washhouse. 

(Ordinance 16003, approved May 16th, 1907, requires posting of 
placards giving two weeks’ notice to property owners and residents 
of intention to establish a laundry.) 

COLD STORAGE AND ICE HOUSES. 

SECTION 945. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed 
to prevent the erection of cold storage plants to a height not 


THE BUILDING CODE 


155 


exceeding 55'0" when such structures are erected in locations ap¬ 
proved by the Board of Public Works. 

And provided further, that such cold storage plants have a 
fireproof roof, and that their exterior walls be covered with metal, 
asbestos, concrete or other fireproof material, and that the hall- 
ways, passages and elevator shafts be protected by an approved 
automatic sprinkler system. 

SECTION 946. Buildings to be used exclusively for the 
storage of ice may be erected in isloated localities and constructed 
as required in the building district where located or of such 
materials and under such reasonable conditions as the Superin¬ 
tendent of Buildings may prescribe, including location. 


WATERFRONT BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 950. Buildings on the waterfront resting on pile 
foundations and subject to swaying from the action of tides, 
waves or vessels, shall not be required to be lathed and plastered 
or have masonry walls, flues or chimneys, but when such build¬ 
ings have smoke flues, such flues shall be of metal, made double 
with 1-inch ventilating space, filled with corrugated asbestos 
paper. 

SECTION 951. (As amended by Ordinance 34963. Every 
dock, wharf or pier hereafter constructed on the waterfront of 
the City of Seattle, unless of fireproof construction throughout, 
must be provided with draft curtains extending from the under 
side of floor planking to a depth of not less than three (3) feet 
below the same and cut in tight between floor joists at top; these 
curtains to be not more than one hundred (100) feet apart, at 
right angles to the main axis of the dock, pier or wharf, and to 
be constructed of two thicknesses of two-inch tongujed and 
grooved or shiplapped plank laid with broken joints, or equally 
fire resisting material. 

SECTION 952. Unless of fireproof construction, every ware¬ 
house, storeroom, bunker or other building hereafter constructed 
upon any dock, wharf or pier shall be provided with fire walls not 
over five hundred (500) feet apart and roof curtains not over 
one hundred (100) feet apart between fire walls, and any such 
structures situated upon any dock, wharf or pier heretofore con¬ 
structed shall be provided with roof curtains not over one hundred 
(100) feet apart. 

All required fire walls and roof curtains shall be constructed 
of two thicknesses of one three-quarter-inch tongued and grooved 
or shiplapped planking not over six inches wide, laid with broken 
joints; two thicknesses of seven-eighths (%) inch tongued and 
grooved lumber, laid with broken joints and with a layer of thirty 
(30) pbunds asbestos paper well fastened between, or other mat¬ 
erial equally fire resisting satisfactory to the Superintendent of 
Buildings. 

All fire walls shall extend continuously from a point three 
(3) feet below the bottom of the wharf flooring to a height of two 
(2) feet six (6) inches above the roof, and all required roof cur¬ 
tains shall extend from the bottom of the roof trusses to the 
underside of the roof sheathing. 


156 


THE BUILDING CODE 


Openings through fire walls and roof curtains shall be min¬ 
imized in size and number and shall be protected with automatic, 
self-closing, fireproof, swinging or sliding doors. 

Every one hundred (100) feet division between required roof 
curtains shall be provided with a skylight or monitor with louvers 
of open capacity equal to not less than one per cent of the area 
of the division. 

Unless of fireproof construction, all such buildings hereafter 
constructed must have the outside of all their enclosing walls, 
roofs and cornices covered with galvanized iron, asbestos, cement 
shingles or sheets, or some other equally fire resisting material. 
Prepared roofing felts, wood shingles, wood siding or uncovered 
tarred felts shall not be used. 

In every division between fire walls or in every five hun¬ 
dred (500) feet or less of length of all such buildings heretofore 
or hereafter constructed, either of fireproof construction or non- 
fireproof construction, there shall be provided wet line standpipes 
and not less than two (2) sets of hose and hose racks or reels of 
approved make. 

Along the entire length of ridge of every such building here¬ 
tofore or hereafter constructed, unless of fireproof construction, 
and along the highest points of every shed roof and when required 
by the Superintendent of Buildings, along the eaves against the 
walls of the building, there shall be provided and properly sup¬ 
ported a dry line perforated or sprinkled galvanized wrought 
iron water pipe of approved dimensions and not less than three 
(3) inches in diameter, so designed and constructed as to dis¬ 
charge a sheet of water upon the roof surface or the walls of the 
building; said pipe to be connected to a standpipe returning down 
to the street at the front of the building and to have a Siamese 
or triple standard hose connection at standard height above the 
street grade. 

Where there are offices or rooms above the dock floor in su^h 
buildings every space inclosed between the outside walls and the 
fire walls herein mentioned shall be provided with two (2) inde¬ 
pendent stairways leading to the main floor. 

All such structures used for passenger service shall also be 
provided with such adequate fire escapes, outside balconies, en¬ 
closed runways, stairways or other means of egress and safe¬ 
guards for the protection of life and property as shall be satis¬ 
factory to the Superintendent of Buildings and the Chief of the 
Eire Department. 

SECTION 953. Whenever such a dock, wharf, pier, bunker or 
other similar structure is more than one story in height, there shall 
be provided two enclosed stairways in each section into which 
the building is divided by the above described fire walls. 

SECTION 954. Before commencing or proceeding with the 
erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair or removal of 
any dock, wharf, bunker, pier or other similar structure on the 
waterfront within the Port of Seattle, an application for a per¬ 
mit shall be made to the Superintendent of Buildings of the City 
of Seattle, who shall issue a permit in accordance with this Code 
and such regulations not in conflict therewith as the Port Com¬ 
mission of the Port of Seattle may determine. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


157 


GRAIN ELEVATORS AND COAL POCKETS. 

SECTION 955. Nothing in this Code shall be construed to 
prevent the erection of what are known as grain elevators, as 
usually and properly constructed, provided they are erected in 
isolated localities and under such reasonable requirements as the 
Superintendent of Buildings may prescribe, including location. 

Nothing in this Code shall be construed to prevent the erec¬ 
tion of coal pockets or coal elevators as usually and properly con¬ 
structed under similar conditions, including location. 

SECTION 956. (As amended by Ordinance 35648). Sheds or 
buildings in outlying portions of the Third Building District, to be 
used for boat building, steel or iron working plants, or other 
purposes requiring large areas, may be built of frame construction, 
provided their floors, roofs and exterior walls be of incombustible 
or slow burning construction, and provided further that they 
be isolated and, when required by the Superintendent of Buildings, 
equipped with roof sprinklers or automatic sprinkler equipments 
and otherwise constructed in a manner equivalent to the con¬ 
struction hereinbefore required for docks. Such structures shall 
not be over two stories in height. 

SECTION 960. Church spires, shot towers, water towers and 
smoke stacks shall comply with the general structural provisions 
of this Code as to strength and stability, and shall be subject to 
such further reasonable regulations as the Superintendent of 
Buildings may deem necessary to safeguard the public interest. 

MIXED BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 970. Where any building is used for two or more 
kinds of use or occupancy as herein specified, such portion of any 
such building as is devoted to any particular use shall be con¬ 
structed, operated and maintained in accordance with the require¬ 
ments of this Code relating to such use, unless such construction 
shall, in the opinion of the Superintendent of Buildings, prove im¬ 
practicable, or unless there would be a conflict between the pro¬ 
visions of this Code relating to the construction of buildings. In 
either of such cases the provisions of this code which relate to 
and govern the construction of buildings of that use or occupancy 
requiring the best and safest form of construction shall govern the 
entire building. 


(Section 971 to 986, both inclusive, were incorporated in the 
building code by Ordinance 34963, approved July 16th, 1915.) 

SECTION 971. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or 
corporation to manufacture, print, develop, keep, store or use nitro¬ 
cellulose motion picture films in any building or place within the 
corporate limits of the City of Seattle without first obtaining as 
hereinafter provided and having a permit in writing so to do and 
without complying with all the provisions of this ordinance. 

SECTION 972. The provisions of this ordinance apply primar¬ 
ily to films of nitro-cellulose or other inflammable composition. 
Where films of the non-flaming variety only are stored, kept, used 
or worked upon, the terms of this ordinance may be waived in 
whole or in part by the written consent of the Superintendent of 



158 


THE BUILDING CODE 


Buildings, countersigned by the Fire Marshal. All of. the pro¬ 
visions of this ordinance shall, however, apply where both the in¬ 
flammable and non-inflammable films are stored, kept, used or 
worked upon. 

Nothing in this ordinance contained shall be construed as 
prohibiting the keeping and using of motion picture films, for 
exhibition purposes only, in authorized motion picture theatres, 
provided not more than ten (10) reels of film are kept in any one 
such theatre at any one time except by special permit of the 
Superintendent of Buildings and the Fire Marshal first obtained 
and provided further that all reels be kept in approved metal 
containers with self-closing doors, located in a projection machine 
booth constructed and maintained as required by the building 
ordinance of the City of Seattle. 

SECTION 973. Wherever in this ordinance used, the term 
‘ 1 motion picture film ;; and ‘ 1 motion picture films 1 ’ shall be under¬ 
stood to mean films composed of nitro-cellulose or pyroxylin-plastic 
material or of other inflammable composition. 

The term “reel” wherever in this ordinance used shall be 
understood to mean approximately One Thousand (1,000) feet of 
motion picture film, approximately One and Eleven-Thirty-seconds 
(1 11/32") inches in width and .0055" in thickness, weighing ap¬ 
proximately Five (5 lb.) pounds, or an equivalent amount. 

SECTION 974. Any person, firm or corporation desiring to 
manufacture, print, develop, store, keep or use motion picture 
films in any building or place within the corporate limits of the 
City of Seattle shall file with the Superintendent of Buildings a 
written application for permit so to do, which application shall set 
forth the name, residence and place of business of the applicant 
and the location at which it is desired or intended to manufacture, 
print, develop, store, keep or use such motion picture films. 

Upon receipt of such application the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings shall make an investigation to determine whether or not the 
building or place defined in the application is so situated, arranged 
and constructed as to comply with the provisions of this ordinance. 

If the Superintendent of Buildings shall find that the building 
or place is not so constructed, arranged or equipped, or if he shall 
find that the desired use will conflict with or be contrary to the 
provisions of this ordinance it shall be his duty to reject the 
application for the permit. 

SECTION 975. The Fire Marshal shall frequently inspect all 
buildings or places containing motion picture films to determine 
whether the provisions of this ordinance are being complied with; 
and it shall be his duty to enforce the provisions hereof, as they 
pertain to the operation and maintenance of such buildings and 
places. 

SECTION 976. The Fire Marshal and the Superintendent of 
Buildings shall each have power, separately or jointly, to revoke 
or suspend any permit granted under the terms of this ordinance 
for violation of any of the provisions of this ordiance. 

SECTION 977. No permit shall be issued to manufacture, 
print, develop, keep, store or use motion picture films in any base¬ 
ment or in any building: 


THE BUILDING CODE 


159 


(a) which is more than two stories high. 

(b) which is of frame construction. 

(c) any part of which is occnpied or used or intended to be 
occupied or used as a place of assembly, habitation, refuge or de¬ 
tention; or as an office building, workshop or factory, in which 
more than fifty people not connected with the establishment in 
which films are located are employed or congregate at any one 
time; 

Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall 
not apply to places where motion picture films are manufactured, 
printed, developed, kept, stored, or used ct the time of the passage 
of this ordinance. 

Door or window openings may be prohibited, or may be 
required to be made fireproof, in walls adjoining, facing or in 
proximity to other buildings or property; and there shall be no 
openings in walls facing and or in proximity to public buildings, 
school buildings, places of assembly and other buildings in which 
large numbers of people congregate. 

SECTION 978. All films not in use or not being worked upon 
shall be kept in approved shipping crates or cases or individually 
enclosed in metal cans or boxes with tight covers and shall be 
stored in fireproof vaults constructed in accordance with the fol¬ 
lowing specifications: 

(a-1) In buildings of other than fireproof construction, vaults 
for the storage of motion picture films shall have self-supporting 
brick walls, not less than 12 inches thick, laid in cement mortar, 
extending from, or supported by masonry or fireproof steel columns 
or piers extending from the ground. Top and bottom of vault shall 
be made of brick arches of the same thickness as walls or of re¬ 
inforced concrete slabs not less than 6 inches in thickness. No 
wood top flooring shall be used. Size of vault shall not exceed 
750 cubic feet. The door opening into vault shall be protected 
on outer side of wall with standard vault iron door, at least 3-16 
inch thick, and made smokeproof by closing against a rabbet at 
top, bottom and one side, hinge-side of door to close into a groove; 
door and wall frames to be of construction equivalent to the stand¬ 
ard iron fire door, vault pattern; and on the inner side of the wall 
by an iron door of at least No. 14 U. S. gauge. One of the above 
doors shall be equipped with an approved mechanism so it will close 
automatically upon the melting of an approved fusible link in¬ 
serted therein. This door may be left open during the time the 
film exchange is in active operation; but must be closed at night 
or during other inactive periods. The other door shall be kept 
closed at all times. All shelves and other fixtures inside vaults 
shall be of incombustible material. No lights other than station¬ 
ary vapor-proof incandescent electric lamps, properly . guarded, 
shall be installed inside, switch shall be outside and provided with 
pilot light or other indicator; all wiring shall be in metallic con¬ 
duit in conformity with the wiring ordinance of the City of Seattle. 
No artificial heat shall be permitted in vault. 

(a-2) In buildings of fireproof construction, vaults may be 
carried on the structure from floor to floor. Walls, floors. and ceil¬ 
ings shall be of brick, not less than 8 inches thick, laid in cement 
mortar or other masonry of equivalent strength. In all other re¬ 
spects such vaults shall comply with specifications for vaults in 
buildings of non-fireproof construction. 


160 


THE BUILDING CODE 


(b) Every vault shall be vented to the outside air by an 
opening at or in the ceiling 5 such opening shall have a sectional 
area of not less than 1 1/3 square inches for each cubic foot of 
space contained in the vault. The vent duct shall be constructed 
of masonry not less than 6 inches in thickness, and shall extend 
continuously and as directly as possible to the outside air. This 
duct shall not expose or be exposed by other property; shall be 
shielded from the weather; and shall be provided with a stout 
galvanized or copper wire screen of 1 /4" mesh. 

(e) There shall be no window or other opening into any vault 
except the vent opening and the door opening hereinbefore specified. 

SECTION 979. (a) Examining and repairing of films shall 

be done only in an “ examination room” having outside ventila¬ 
tion and separated from the rest of the building by tight parti¬ 
tions, floor and ceiling, of incombustible material, which same 
shall contain no glass other than wired glass. 

(b) Examination room shall be of such size as to provide not 
less than 450 cubic feet of air space for each person employed 
therein; and, where practicable, shall be contiguous to an outside 
wall of the building containing same. Windows alone shall not be 
depended upon for ventilating examination room; but such ven¬ 
tilating ducts shall be provided as in the opinion of the Superin¬ 
tendent of Buildings are required to give at all times by natural 
or mechanical means an adequate supply of fresh air. 

(c) Examination room shall be provided with at least two 
exits so located as to preclude the possibility of both being cut 
off by fire in this room, the shipping room, the cleaning room, and 
or the vault. Each doorway shall be equipped with a fireproof, 
self-closing door opening outward and closing against incom¬ 
bustible stops. An approved outside stairway fire escape, with 
balanced extension reaching to the ground, readily accessible from 
the examination room through a doorway in the outside wall, may 
be accepted as constituting one of the above required exits. 

(d) Examination room shall be used neither for storage nor 
handling of combustible materials other than films, and all furni¬ 
ture and fittings shall as far as practicable be of incombustible 
material. 

(e) The number of reels of films in the examination room at 
any time shall not exceed the equivalent of ten ( 10 ) exposed 
reels. Reels in approved shipping crates or in individual metal 
cans or boxes shall be considered unexposed, but three ( 3 ) reels in 
such receptacles shall be considered the equivalent of one ex¬ 
posed reel. 

(f) Examination room shall be heated only by hot air, hot- 
water or steam, and metal shields or screens shall be provided to 
prevent the films from coming in contact with radiators or heated 
pipes. No hot-air floor registers shall be used. 

(g) Standard metal cans shall be provided where repairing 
is done. All scrap or waste from the films shall be kept therein 
and removed from the building daily to a safe location. Such 
waste shall be kept separate from paper waste or other rubbish, 
and shall not be allowed to accumulate and lie upon the floor or 
benches. 

(h) Each examiner shall be provided with not to exceed two 
( 2 ) ounces of any compound of collodion and amyl acetate or sim- 


THE BUILDING CODE 


161 


ilarly inflammable cement and all such cement in excess of the 
foregoing amount shall be kept in the vault. 

(i) Examination room shall be lighted by incandescent elec¬ 
tric lamps in vaporproof globes, properly guarded. 

(j) Motors for the operation of re-winds or for other pur¬ 
poses shall be of the fully enclosed, non-sparking type and shall 
have no exposed live metal parts. 

(k) All electric wiring shall be installed in metal conduits in 
conformity with the requirements of the electrical ordinances of 
the City of Seattle. 

SECTION 980. (a) The packing of motion picture films for 

shipment or the unpacking of same shall be done only in a “ ship¬ 
ping room” having outside ventilation and separated from the 
rest of the building by tight partitions, floor and ceiling of incom¬ 
bustible material with self-closing fire doors at openings; parti¬ 
tions and doors to contain no glass other than wired glass. 

(b) Shipping room shall be used neither for the storage nor 
handling of combustible materials other than films and all furni¬ 
ture used therein shall as far as practicable be of non-combustible 
material. 

(c) The number of reels of films in the shipping room at any 
one time shall not exceed the equivalent of ten (10) exposed reels 
as hereinbefore defined. 

(d) In all other respects the equipment of shipping room 
shall comply with the requirements for examination room. 

SECTION 981. Where a motion picture machine is used for 
projecting films for display or other purposes same shall be en¬ 
closed in a standard booth constructed in accordance with the 
requirements elsewhere in this ordinance provided. A so-called 
“portable booth” shall not, within the meaning of this ordinance 
be considered as fulfilling this requirement. 

SECTION 982. (a) The cleaning or washing of motion pic¬ 

ture films in or by means of ether, alcohol or other inflammable 
or combustible volatile liquids shall be done only in a “cleaning 
room ’ ’ having outside ventilation and separated from the rest 
of the building by tight partitions, floor and ceiling of incom¬ 
bustible material with self-closing fire doors at openings.. The 
receptacle containing the cleaning liquid shall be kept tightly 
closed except at apertures through which film passes during the 
process of cleaning, and whole, apparatus, including receptacle, 
drying reels, etc., shall be completely covered by a ventilating 
hood equipped with a duct leading to outside air and provided 
with a mechanically induced draft sufficient to keep room free 
from objectionable vapors. 

(b) Boom shall be used neither for the storage nor handling of 
combustible material other than films and there shall be no more 
than three (3) reels at any one time in this room. 

(c) In all other respects the equipment of this room shall 
comply with the requirements for the examination room. 

SECTION 983. (a) The vault, examination room, shipping 
room, projection room and cleaning room, as required by the fore¬ 
going provisions of this ordinance, shall each be equipped with 


162 


THE BUILDING CODE 


approved automatic sprinklers, which shall be installed in con¬ 
formity with the requirements elsewhere in this ordinance pro¬ 
vided, with the exception that one water supply of ample quantity 
at sufficient pressure, if approved by the Superintendent of Build¬ 
ings, shall be considered adequate. 

(b) Each room in which motion picture films are manufactur¬ 
ed, printed, developed, kept, stored or used, exclusive of vault, 
shall be equipped with approved 2^-gallon chemical extinguisher, 
pails of water and pails of dry sand, subject to the approval of the 
Eire Marshal. 

(c) It is hereby made a misdemeanor to smoke in any room 
containing films, and signs shall be posted in conspicuous places to 
that effect. 

SECTION 984. None of the provisions of this ordinance shall 
be construed as prohibiting the use interchangeably of either the 
examination, shipping, projection or repair room for any of the 
processes necessary to the operation of a film exchange; provided 
that no two different processes are carried on simultaneously and 
and that the provisions of this ordinance applying to each pro¬ 
cess be complied with. 

SECTION 985. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or 
corporation to take or carry into any building within the corporate 
limits of the City of Seattle or to carry or transport anywhere, 
within such limits, any motion picture film or films unless the same 
be contained in a metal box, can or other approved receptacle with 
cover securely tied or otherwise fastened. Each such receptacle 
shall be conspicuously labelled as containing inflammable films. 

SECTION 986. The provisions of this ordinance, except as 
provided in Section 977, shall be construed to apply equally to 
buildings or places heretofore or hereafter established for the 
manufacturing, printing, developing, keeping, storing or using of 
motion picture films; providing, however, that the Superintendent 
of Buildings and the Fire Marshal jointly in their reasonable dis¬ 
cretion may waive the reconstructing in whole or in part of vaults, 
examination rooms, cleaning rooms, shipping rooms and projection 
rooms, in such buildings or places existing at the time of the pass¬ 
age of this ordinance. 

PART X. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 

DWARF PARTITIONS. 

SECTION 1001. Dwarf partitions or screens of wood or of 
wood and glass, not exceeding 8'0" in height, may be constructed 
in any building or on any balcony therein, provided, the aggregate 
length of such partition or screens in any room does not exceed 
*4 the sum of the lengths of all enclosing walls of said room. 

If the space enclosed by such dwarf partitions or screens 
be covered, such coverings shall be constructed in the manner 
required for floor construction in mill buildings. Partitions ex¬ 
ceeding 8'0" in height or leaving less than 6 inches clear space 
underneath the ceiling will not be considered as dwarf partitions, 
but must be built in accordance with the provisions governing 
partitions in the class of buildings in which they are constructed. 


TH EBUILDING CODE 


163 


INTERIOR BALCONIES. 

SECTION 1002. Balconies may be constructed in rooms used 
for stores, warehouses, factories, workshops and offices, subject 
to the following conditions. There shall be not less than 8'0" 
of perpendicular space between floor and ceiling, when the space 
is to be subdivided or enclosed and used for offices or for continu¬ 
ous occupation by laborers of any class and such space shall be 
properly ventilated. Such balconies when used for storage or 
display of goods, may be of less height if approved by the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings. 

No balcony shall cover more than 50 per cent, of the floor 
area of the room in which it is constructed. 

If the area of any balcony exceeds 30 per cent, of the floor 
area of the room in which it is located, the portion in excess of 
30 per cent, of the room floor area shall not project into such room 
more than one-half of the width of the room. 

Balconies shall be so constructed as to sustain 50 pounds or 
more of live load to the square foot. 

Balconies in fireproof buildings may be constructed with iron 
or steel beams and supports, with a floor of not less than 1 % 
inches tongued and grooved flooring, covered directly on the under 
side with metal or metal lath and cement plaster. 

Balconies in Mill, Ordinary Masonry or Frame Buildings may 
be constructed with wood floor beams and supports not less than 
4 inches in their least dimensions, or may be hung to the floor 
beams above with iron rods, if such floor beams are of sufficient 
strength to carry the added load, and the floors of such balcony 
may be of not less than 1 % inches matched flooring in Mill Build¬ 
ings and not less than %-inch matched flooring in Ordinary Mas¬ 
onry and Frame Buildings. 

Stairs leading to interior balconies may be constructed of 
wood with stringers and treads not less than 1% inches thick. 

EXTERIOR APPENDAGES. 

SECTION 1003. All dormer windows, bay windows, towers 
spires, ventilators, pent houses, exterior balconies, cornices, mould¬ 
ings and other like appendages on buildings other than frame 
buildings, shall be constructed of fireproof materials or have all 
exposed surfaces completely covered with sheet metal with lock 
joints, or with slate or tile, or with metal lath and cement plaster. 

Balconies or bay windows on fireproof buildings shall be con¬ 
structed throughout of fireproof materials and on Mill Buildings 
more than four stories in height, shall have all supports con¬ 
structed as required for fireproof buildings, and all exterior wood¬ 
work except doors, sash and frames, shall be covered with slate or 
metal with lock joints, or with metal lath and cement plaster not 
less than %-inch thick. 

Cornice lookouts, except in frame buildings, shall be of iron 
or steel well secured to the walls. Walls shall be carried up to 
the top of cornices. 

Hollow cornices, except on frame buildings, shall have fireproof 
divisions built in opposite each division wall in the building. 

Not less than 60 per cent, of the weight of each stone in a 
stone cornice shall be back of the face of the wall, unless proper 


164 


THE BUILDING CODE 


and sufficient means of support and anchorage are provided and 
approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. 

Every skylight on the roof of any building, other than a 
frame building and not exceeding the height limit for mill build¬ 
ings, shall have the side, sashes and frames constructed of metal, 
or of wood, metal clad on all exterior surfaces. Every skylight 
on any building of greater height shall be entirely of incombustible 
material. 

Every skylight shall be provided with a ventilation opening 
having an area of at least 3 per cent, of the base area of the 
skylight, except as otherwise provided in this Code. 

The glass in all such skylights, except in places of habitation 
not exceeding three stories in height, shall have properly sup¬ 
ported at least 6 inches over the same, a strong wire netting with 
wire not lighter than No. 12, galvanized after weaving, and with 
mesh not coarser than one by one inch, unless the glass contains 
a wire netting within itself. 

SECTION 1004. No balcony or bay window shall be more 
than ll'O" in width, or extend more than 2'0" beyond the street 
line, or be less than 15'0" above the established grade, or approach 
nearer than 4'0" to any party line, or project into any alley. 

Pent houses over stairs shall not exceed lO'O" and over eleva¬ 
tors 28'0" in height above roofs. 

The projection of cornices and belt courses beyond the build¬ 
ing line into public thoroughfares other than alleys, shall be lim¬ 
ited as follows: From a height of 6 feet to 15 feet above estab¬ 
lished grade, the projection shall not exceed 8 inches; between 15 
and 30 feet above grade, the projection shall not exceed 2'0"; 
above the last named height the projection may increase at the 
rate of one inch for each 3'0" of added height to the maximum pro¬ 
jection of 5'0". Where cornices or belt courses approach the grade 
on sloping streets, their height above established grade shall be as 
approved by the Superintendent of Buildings. Projections over 
any alley line shall be limited to 8 inches between a height of 6 
feet and 20'0" above alley grade, and above the latter elevation 
shall be limited to l'O", except that cornice returns of not more 
than 6'0" in length may project as in streets. 

Brackets projecting more than 14 inches over a street line 
shall be not less than lO'O" above the established grade. No part 
of any hood over any entrance shall project more than 2'0" over a 
street line or be less than lO'O" above the established grade. 

Projections into the line of a public street, not exceeding 8 
inches, in the form of buttresses, pilasters or similar architectural 
embellishments, may be permitted in the discretion of the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings, provided that no such projection shall be 
in the nature of a show window or the lower or upper steps of a 
flight of stairs. 

WINDOW CLEANER ATTACHMENTS. 

SECTION 1005. Every window having its sill more than 12'0'’ 
above the grade and so constructed that it is. usual or necessary 
for a person to stand on the outside sill or ledge in order to clean 
the window, shall have securely fastened to each jamb an approv¬ 
ed anchorage for a window cleaner’s safety device or attachment. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


165 


DOWN SPOUTS. 

SECTION 1006. All buildings now or hereafter erected front¬ 
ing on a street, shall be kept provided with proper leaders for con¬ 
ducting water from the roof to the ground, and connected with a 
sewer, street gutter or dry well in such manner as to protect the 
walls and foundations of any building from damage, and in no 
case shall water from roofs be allowed to flow into gutters in the 
First or Second Building Districts, or to flow upon sidewalks in 
any district. 


FLAG POLES 

SECTION 1007. Every flag pole shall have a diameter at 
base of not less than l-50th of its height, and a diameter at the 
top of not less than 5-12ths of the diameter at the base, and shall 
if of wood, be of straight grain and free from loose knots, and 
shall be so braced, supported or stayed as to be capable of with¬ 
standing a computed wind pressure of 100 pounds to the square 
foot of the pole surface. 


SIGNS. 

SECTION 1008. Every sign placed above the roof of any 
building shall be constructed of galvanized iron, or some other 
non-combustible material. Such sign shall be placed not less than 
3'0" from the inner line of the fire walls, if any, and not less than 
6'0" above the roof of the building. The vertical dimension of any 
roof sign other than illuminated roof signs shall not exceed 12'0". 
There shall be a space of not less than 6'0" between all uprights and 
between all braces of every roof sign, and a clear space of not less 
than 5'0" between each end of such sign and any fire wall parapet, 
or edge of roof adjacent thereto. All framework and bracing shall 
be of angle iron or wood covered with galvanized iron, or other 
non-combustible material, and shall be so fastened to the roof 
and so constructed throughout as to be capable of withstanding a 
computed wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds to the super¬ 
ficial foot. 

(The maximum height prescribed above for roof signs is held 
to mean the height of the sign proper.) 

^SECTION 1009. An illuminated roof sign is a sign erected 
and maintained upon or over the roof of any building, and having 
letters in an outline of incandescent lamps, or having painted, 
flush or raised letters; or having a border of incandescent lights 
attached thereto and reflecting light thereon; or a transparent 
glass sign lighted by electricity or other illuminant. 

Every illuminated roof sign shall be constructed with steel 
skeleton construction so as to prevent a surface to be affected by 
wind pressure which shall not exceed 50% of the face of the sign. 
The framework thereof shall be entirely of metal or some other 
equally incombustible material, except that the material to which 
the framework of any such sign shall be anchored, may be sub¬ 
stantial beams anchored or securely fastened to the roof or walls 
of the building upon or over which any such sign is erected. 

*(A bond of $1,000 only is required for an illuminated roof sign 
having a total height above the roof surface of not more than eigh¬ 
teen feet.) 




166 


THE BUILDING CODE 


The distance between the roof of said building or structure 
and the lower edge of such sign shall not be less than 5'0". The 
height of any such sign from the roof of the building or structure 
to which the same is anchored or attached shall not exceed 45'0". 
No such sign shall be closer than 6'0" to the edge of the roof of the 
building or structure upon which it is erected. No illuminated roof 
sign shall be constructed on any building or structure which is 
over eight stories in height. Any illuminated roof sign less than 
12'0" in height shall be held to be governed by the provisions re¬ 
lating to billboard and signboards. 

No illuminated roof sign shall be erected or maintained until 
proper plans and specifications for the same shall have been ap¬ 
proved by the Superintendent of Buildings and the City Electri¬ 
cian. 

All signs shall be constructed, erected and maintained of 
sufficient strength to withstand a wind pressure of 30 pounds per 
square foot of surface without stressing the material beyond the 
safe limits of stress given elsewhere in this Code. It shall be the 
duty of the Superintendent of Buildings to make an inspection 
annually of each illuminated roof sign erected or maintained under 
the provisions of this Code for the purpose of ascertaining whether 
such sign is safe and secure. 

Every illuminated roof sign constructed, erected or main¬ 
tained under the provisions of this ordinance shall have the name 
of the owner thereof placed thereon in a legible and conspicuous 
manner. No person shall be permitted to erect or maintain an il¬ 
luminated roof sign unless he shall execute and file with the City 
Clerk, with sureties to be approved by the Superintendent of 
Buildings, a bond to the City of Seattle in the penal sum of ten 
thousand dollars ($10,000), conditioned to indemnify and save 
the City and its officers and agents from any damage, costs or 
liability whatsoever connected with or resulting from such sign, 
and further conditioned to comply with this Code and all other 
ordinances relating to such signs. 

The permission and authority herein granted shall cease at 
any time hereafter at the reasonable discretion of the Mayor. 
In case of the termination of the privileges herein granted by the 
exercise of the Mayor’s discretion as aforesaid, all such electrical 
signs shall be removed at the expense of the owner or owners of 
the building or the person who is then maintaining same, without 
any cost or expense to the City of Seattle; provided, that in the 
event of the failure, neglect or refusal on the part of the owner 
of the building or structure upon which said illuminated electric 
sign is constructed or the person operating and maintaining 
said electric sign, to remove said electric sign upon the revocation 
of the permit by the Mayor, as herein provided, the Superintend¬ 
ent of Buildings shall proceed to remove same and charge the ex¬ 
pense thereof to the owner of the building or structure upon which 
said illuminated electric sign is constructed or to the person 
operating or maintaining same. 

SECTION 1010. No attachable sign, framework, boards, cloth 
or other material to or on which any sign, advertisement, picture 
or notice is painted, printed, posted, made, impressed, affixed or 
fastened shall hereafter be constructed, affixed or maintained upon 
the outer wall of any building higher than the fire wall, or in 


THE BUILDING CODE 


167 


front of any standpipe or fire escape or across or in front of any 
exterior window or other exterior opening above the first story 
thereof. 

SECTION 1011. All signs placed on any building, or part 
thereof, above the sills of the third story windows, shall be made 
with a facing of metal or asbestos board, and no sign of wood, 
cloth or other combustible material shall be more than 2'0" in 
width, and no sign other than an electric sign shall project more 
than 3'0" over or be less than 8'0" above the sidewalk. 

BILL BOARDS. 

SECTION 1012. All bill boards and other structures for 
posting, painting, tacking or exhibiting advertising of any kind 
within the First, Second and Third Building Districts shall have 
metal supports and shall be constructed of or faced with metal 
or other incombustible material. The vertical dimensions of such 
billboards except those on top of buildings, shall not exceed 20'0". 
Bill boards shall not be placed one above another so that the total 
height exceeds the maximum height prescribed in this Code. 

All billboards shall be so constructed, braced and maintained 
as to withstand a lateral wind pressure of 30 pounds to the square 
foot. They shall be regularly inspected by the owners and kept in 
good repair so that they will not become unsightly or dangerous. 

Before any permit for the erection of a bill board shall be 
issued, the person applying for such permit shall execute and file 
with the City Comptroller a bond with good and sufficient sureties, 
to be approved by the Mayor and City Comptroller, in the sum of 
not less than $1,000, conditioned to save the city harmless from 
all claims, actions and damages of every kind which may accrue 
to or be suffered by the City or any person by reason of the de¬ 
fective construction or maintenance of such bill board, or by rea¬ 
son of the negligent use and occupation thereof. 

(See Ordinance 36558 page 185 repealing conflicting re¬ 
quirements.) 

FENCES. 

SECTION 1013. Fences between lots shall in no case be more 
than 6'0" high above the grade of the highest lot, unless con¬ 
structed of wire netting with not less than 2-inch mesh. 


TENTS AND COVERED WAGONS. 

SECTION 1014. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect 
maintain, use or occupy within the First or Second Building Dis¬ 
trict, or within 15'0" of any building not owned by the same owner 
or occupied by the same tenant in the Third or Fourth Building 
District, or to use or occupy for any purpose other than lodging, 
any tent, or canvas covered wagon or other vehicle. 

SHEDS. 

SECTION 1015. Within the First and Second Building Dis¬ 
tricts, storage sheds may be erected and occupied as in this section 
provided, but not otherwise. 


168 


THE BUILDING CODE 


Such sheds shall not exceed 15'0" in height above the lowest 
street or alley grade adjoining the property upon which such shed 
is located. 

The frame work of such sheds shall be constructed entirely of 
iron or steel, resting on masonry footing or piers, or upon piles 
and capping over tide water. 

The roof covering shall be of galvanized iron or of shiplap 
not less than %-inch thick, and covered with incombustible roofing 
as required in Frame Buildngs. 

The outside walls may be covered with galvanized iron, fast¬ 
ened to the frame wth metal fastenings, and shall extend to the 
ground. 

The floors may be constructed of not less than 2" plank 
resting on floor joist not less than 2% inches thick, and supported 
by masonry piers, or piles and capping over tide water. 

No partitions shall be allowed in such sheds except for an 
office for the slipping clerk, not more than lO'O" square, and the 
partitions enclosing such office shall be of galvanized iron, fasten¬ 
ed to an iron or steel framework with metal fastenings. 

Such sheds shall be used only for the purpose of storing 
therein of incombustible merchandise, and in no case shall such 
sheds be used for any other purpose, or for retailing therefrom the 
articles allowed to be stored therein, except by consent of adjoin¬ 
ing property owners, and approval of the Superintendent of 
Buildings. 

The permit for the erection or occupancy of such sheds shall 
specify the goods to be stored therein, or the use to be made there¬ 
of. 


TEMPORARY BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 1016. The Board of Public Works is hereby author¬ 
ized and empowered, upon the application being made in writing 
therefor, stating the purpose for which said building or structure 
is to be used, and accompanied by plans and specifications showing 
in detail the construction of such building or structure, and the 
means of exit^ therefrom, and of sanitation and fire protection to 
be provided therein, to authorize the Superintendent of Buildings 
to issue permits for the erection, use and occupancy of temporary 
wooden buildings, tents and other structures not more than one 
story in height, to be used for the purpose of holding religious 
services therein, convention halls, carnival, fair or exposition pur¬ 
poses and other public assemblages, or for stables, workshops, 
boarding, houses or sleeping apartments used in connection with 
the grading of streets or other public works; to specify in detail 
how such building or other structure shall be erected, used .and 
occupied; to provide that such building or structure shall be de¬ 
molished and all material therein contained or used in connection 
therewith, and all debris resulting from such use, shall be re¬ 
moved from the premises where such building or structure is lo¬ 
cated within a time specified in such permit, which time shall be 
not more than 90 days from the granting of such permit; and to 
provide and.specify the means of fire protection to be installed and 
maintained in connection with such building or structure, and the 
means for securing and maintaining sanitary conditions in con¬ 
nection therewith. 


THE BUILDING CODE 


169 


In the event that such permit for the erection of such 
temporary building or structure shall be authorized by the Board 
of Public Works, the applicant therefor shall file with the City 
Comptroller a bond to the City of Seattle with good and sufficient 
sureties, to be approved by the Mayor and Comptroller, in a penal 
sum to be fixed by the Board of Public Works, and conditioned 
that he will', on or before the date set in such permit for the de¬ 
molition and removal of such building or structure, demolish such 
building or structure and remove from the premises where the 
same is erected all material therein contained and used in con¬ 
nection therewith, and all debris resulting from the use thereof, 
place the said premises in a sanitary condition, and restore them, 
as near as may be, to the condition in which they existed prior 
to the erection of such building or structure; and conditioned 
further, that in case the principal on said bond shall fail, refuse 
or neglect to comply with the conditions thereof and of the per¬ 
mit for the issuance of which such bond is executed, the City of 
Seattle, by its duly authorized officers, may enter upon the prem¬ 
ises and demolish said building or structure and remove the same 
and all material used in connection therewith and restore said 
premises to a sanitary condition, and that the cost and expense 
thereof may be recovered from the principal and sureties on said 
bond. 

Nothing in this section contained shall be construed as re¬ 
quiring or directing the Board of Public Works to issue any per¬ 
mit for the erection of any temporary building or structure as in 
this section provided, but the Board of Public Works may in all 
cases refuse to issue or grant such permit. 

SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION. 

SECTION 1017. In all buildings having more than 3 stories, 
whether above or below the street grade, and in which perman¬ 
ent floors are not constructed at the time the frame or walls are 
constructed, not more than 2 stories of the frame or wall shall 
be constructed without constructing a temporary floor of plank 
laid close, for the protection of workmen or others above, below 
or on such temporary floors, and such temporary floors shall be 
constructed as the building progresses at each alternate floor, and 
no permanent floor of masonry shall be constructed unless there 
be the permanent floor or a temporary floor in the story immediate¬ 
ly below it. 

SECTION 1018. During the construction or alteration of all 
buildings more than 30'0" in height, all stairways, elevator open¬ 
ings, flues and all other openings in the floors and roofs, shall be 
covered or protected by railings or wire netting at least 4'0" in 
height at all times, except when such openings are being used for 
hoisting or lowering material. 

SECTION 1019. During the construction of all buildings over 
3 stories in height, temporary plank stairs of not less than 5 inch 
run and not more than 12 inch rise, protected with hand rails, shall 
be constructed and kept in good repair and clear from material 
until the permanent stairs are constructed. 

SECTION 1020. Not more than 2 workmen or other persons 
shall ride on any hoisting elevator used for hoisting material dur- 


170 


THE BUILDING CODE 


ing the construction, alteration, repair or demolition of any 
building, except before or after workng hours, and then only when 
the foreman or contractor is in charge of such elevator. 

SECTION 1021. During the construction, alteration or de¬ 
molition of any building or part of a building which shall ex¬ 
tend 2 stories or more above any other portion of such building or 
any adjoining building, the roof of such other portion or of such 
adjoining building and all skylights therein, shall be protected 
by covering said roof with planks or boards laid close to prevent 
injury to the roof covering, and by suspending over any skylights, 
on stout timbers properly secured a stout wire netting with a 
mesh of not over % inch, which netting shall be not less than 
l'O" above the glass in any such skylight, and shall be stretched 
taut and securely fastened to the supports. 

SECTION 1022. All scaffolds and sidewalk bridges erected 
for the protection of workmen or the public or for use in the erec¬ 
tion, repair, alteration or demolition of buildings, shall be well 
and safely constructed and supported, and of sufficient width to 
secure the safety of persons walking thereon, or passng under or by 
the same, and to prevent the falling thereof or of any material 
that may be used, placed or deposited thereon. 

When scaffolds are 45'0" or more in height, whether pole 
or thrust-out scaffolds, there shall be erected on the outer edge and 
ends an enclosure or wire netting of not more than 2 inch mesh or 
of boards not less than % inch thick, placed not over 1% inch 
apart, well secured to uprights not less than 2 inches x 4 inches in 
dimensions, fastened to planks or timbers, and resting on putlogs 
or thrust-outs. Such enclosures shall be carried up at least 5'0" 
in advance over the level on which the workmen are working. The 
thrust-outs shall be strong enough to sustain a distributed load of 
30 pounds per square foot of staging surface, and be made stronger 
as required if material is to be left thereon. 

The flooring on thrust-outs and putlogs shall be tightly con¬ 
structed with plank, and the floor and enclosure shall not be 1 re¬ 
moved until a like floor and enclosure is in position on the story 
above. If another story or other stories are being raised above 
any scaffold while the same is being used, such scaffold shall be 
covered for the ful width above the workmen with well secured 
plank. 

SECTION 1023. All sheds, enclosures, scaffolds, staging, 
ropes, blocks, tackle, swinging scaffolds, temporary floors and stairs, 
and other building appliances erected or used during the construc¬ 
tion, alteration, painting or repair of any building, shall be of 
good quality, adapted to the purpose for which used, erected and 
maintained in a Workmanlike manner and subject to inspection 
and approval by the Superintendent of Building. 

All scaffolding or staging when in use twenty (20) feet or 
more above the ground or floor and which is swung or suspended 
from an overhead support, shall have a safety rail of wood or 
other material of sufficient strength to amply and fully protect all 
persons who may be working on such scaffolding or staging, such 
rail to rise at least thirty-six (36) inches above the floor or floors 
or main portions of such scaffolding or staging and extending 
along the entire length of the outside and the ends thereof and 
properly and safely attached thereto, and such scaffolding or 


THE BUILDING CODE 


171 


staging shall be fastened so as to prevent the same from swaying 
from the building or structure or place of work where such scaf¬ 
folding or staging is being used. Any and all parts of such 
scaffolding or staging shall be of sufficient strength to support, 
bear or withstand any weight of persons, tools, appliances or mat¬ 
erials that may be placed thereon or that are to be supported there¬ 
by while such scaffolding or staging is being used for any of the 
purposes thereof. 

In addition to the duties imposed upon an employer by any 
law regulating or relating to scaffolding or staging, it shall be the 
duty of such employer who uses or permits the use of scaffolding 
or staging as defined herein in connection with the construction, 
alteration, repair, painting, cleaning or the doing of any kind of 
work, upon any building or structure, or other thing or place of 
work to furnish safety lines to tie all hooks and hangers back 
on the roof of such building or structure, and to provide safety 
lines hanging from the roof, securely tied thereto, and one such 
line to be provided between each pair of hangers or falls and 
near the ends of such scaffolding or staging. The platform of 
every such scaffolding or staging shall be not less than 
two (2) feet wide and shall extend the entire length of the same. 
All rope used in the operation of every such scaffolding or staging 
shall be not less than three-fourths of an inch in diameter. All 
such scaffolding or staging shall be equipped with block and tackle 
of the best material obtainable. 

MACHINERY GUARDS. 

SECTION 1024. In every factory, workshop or other struc¬ 
ture where machinery is employed, the belting, shafting, gearing 
and every other mechanical device when so located as to endanger 
the lives and limbs of those employed therein, while in the dis¬ 
charge of their duties, shall be as far as practicable so covered and 
guarded as to insure against any injury to the employes. 

ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS. 

SECTION 1025. Alterations and repairs to any extent may 
be made to any building, provided the resulting building after 
such alterations and repairs complies with the requirements of this 
Code for new buildings. In all other cases alterations and repairs 
shall conform to the provisions of this part of the Code. 

SECTION 1026. Alterations and repairs rendered necessary 
by condemnation and regrading of streets may be made to any 
building with the kinds of materials and construction originally 
used therein, provided the resulting building, after such alterations 
and repairs, is as safe as it was before. . 

Whenever any part of any existing building is taken for pub¬ 
lic use by condemnation, the remaining portion of such building 
may be repaired with the kinds of materials and construction used 
in such remaining portion, or, if there is sufficient ground on the 
same lot or premises upon which such building stands, the^ same 
may be moved as far as may be necessary to clear that portion of 
the lot or premises taken for such public use. 

Whenever any street is regraded in such manner as to ne¬ 
cessitate the adjustment of an existing building to the new 
grade, su*h building may be raised, lowered or have stories added 



OLSON-NICHOLSON CO., inc. 

GENERAL CONTRACTORS 

We Specialize on 

Moving, Raising, Shoring, Alterations, and Salvaging 

4099 Arcade Building 


Tel. Office, Elliott 1049 


Res., Queen Anne 4443 


; : _ z i! r © s. 

Dealers in 

Cement, Washed Sand and Gravel 
Brick, Plaster, and Lime 

3829 -10th Ave. N. E. 


Office Phone 

Elliott 2270 


Night Phone 

Capitol 232 


Phone North 36 

Bunker Phone 

Elliott 2709 


CENTRAL SAND & GRAVEL CO. 

331-2-3 Mehlhorn Bldg., Seattle 

BUNKERS 

Foot Wall St., Galbraith, Baco« & Co.’s Dock 


Office Phone, 

MAIN 6374 


Res. Phone, 

QUEEN ANNE 1829 


The H. M. Clarke Iron & Wire Works 

Manufacturers of 

Ornamental Iron and Wire Work Bank and Office Grilles 

Window Guards Iron and Wire Fences Pipe Railings 

Elevator Enclosures Iron Stairs and Railings Fire Escapes 

Joist Hangers and Anchors Iron Doors Coal Shutes Folding Gates 

1924-26-28 Western Avenue, Seattle, Wash. 


172 
















THE BUILDING CODE 


173 


above or below the same, provided such additional stories do not 
increase the height of such building or the number of stories be¬ 
yond that allowed by this Code; and, provided further, that in the 
First and Second Building Districts any such additional lower 
story or stories shall have masonry walls as required for new 
buildings in such districts; and provided, further, that frame build¬ 
ings in the First, Second and Third Building Districts, in case of 
condemnation or regrade, may be moved eleswhere into locations 
where such buildings are permitted, 

SECTION 1027. If it is desired to make alterations or re¬ 
pairs to any building of a greater height than this Code permits 
for such buildings, such alterations or repairs shall be subject to 
such reasonable regulations as the Superintendent of Buildings 
may approve,—provided they do not tend to increase the exisiting 
fire hazard. 

If it is desired to make alterations or repairs to any building 
that is seriously deficient in means of egress or in provision for 
light, air and ventilation or is structurally weak, the remedying 
of some or all of these deficiencies may be required as a condition 
precedent to permission for making such alterations or repairs. 

SECTION 1028. Any fireproof building, if the Superintendent 
of Buildings shall so approve, may be altered or repaired with the 
kinds of materials and construction originally used in such build¬ 
ing,—provided the resulting building after such alterations and 
repairs, is as safe as it was before. 

SECTION 1029. Any mill building in the First or Second 
Building District not in compliance with this Code, may be altered 
or repaired with the kinds of materials and construction required 
for fireproof or mill buildings, provided the resulting building, 
after such alterations and repairs, is safer than it was before, and 
provided the height of such building is not increased beyond the 
limits prescribed in this Code for the respective building districts. 
No alterations or series of alterations aggregating more than 20 
per cent of the value of any such building shall be made unless 
the means of egress and provisions for light, air and ventilation 
be made equivalent to the requirements of this Code. 

SECTION 1030. Any mill building in the Third or Fourth 
District may be altered or repaired with the kinds of materials 
and construction originally used in such building, provided the 
resulting building after such alterations and repairs is as safe 
as it was before, and provided the height of such building shall 
not be increased beyond the limits prescribed by this Code. 

SECTION 1031. Any ordinary masonry building in the First 
or Second Building District not in compliance with this Code, may 
be altered or repaired with the kinds of materials and construction 
required for fireproof or mill buildings, provided the resulting 
building, after such alterations and repairs, is safer than it was 
before, and provided the height of such building shall not be in¬ 
creased in the First Building District, nor be increased beyond the 
limits prescribed in this Code in the Second Building District. 

No alteration or series of alterations aggregating more than 
20 per cent of the value of such building shall be made unless the 


174 


THE BUILDING CODE 


means of egress and provisions for light, air and ventilation be 
made equivalent to the requirements of this Code. 

No alterations or series of alterations aggregating more than 
20 per cent of the value of such buildings shall be made in any 
period of 12 months in the First Building District, nor more than 
40 per cent in a like period in the Second Building District. 

SECTION 1032. Any ordinary masonry or frame building in 
the Third or Fourth Building District not in compliance with this 
Code may be altered or repaired with the kinds of materials and 
construction required in the respective districts, provided the re¬ 
sulting building, after such alterations and repairs, is as safe as it 
was before, and provided the height of such building is not increas¬ 
ed beyond the limits prescribed in this Code. 

SECTION 1033. Any frame building in the First or Second 
Building District may be altered or repaired with the kinds of 
materials and construction required for fireproof, mill or ordinary 
masonry buildings, provided the resulting building, after such 
alterations and repairs, is safer than it was before, and provided 
the means ofegress and provisions for light, air and ventilation are 
made satisfactory, and provided the height of such building shall 
not be increased. 

No alterations or series of alterations' aggregating in value 
more than 20 per cent of the value of such building shall be made 
in any period of 12 months, and the total value of such alterations 
and repairs shall not exceed 50 per cent of the value of such build¬ 
ing in any period of time. 

SECTION 1034. The value of a building, to which reference is 
made in connection with alterations or series of alterations, is the 
value of the building about to be altered just before such altera¬ 
tions or series of alterations are commenced, subsequent to the 
enactment of this Code. 

SECTION 1035. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to 
prevent the Superintendent of Buildings from requiring unsafe or 
dangerous structures to be made safe under the powers granted 
elsewhere in this Code. 

APPRAISAL OF FIRE LOSSES. 

SECTION 1040. When any non-fireproof building within the 
First or Second Building Districts, shall be damaged by fire or the 
act of God, it shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Buildings, 
within 24 hours after such damage occurs, to visit and inspect the 
premises where such building existed and within three days there¬ 
after, to make an estimate of the actual value of such building at 
the time such damage occurred and of the amount of damage sus¬ 
tained by such building, and enter such estimates in the records of 
his office, and he shall mail a copy of such estimate to such owner 
in a sealed envelope, postage thereon being fully prepaid, or in 
case the name and address of the owner is unknown, shall post a 
copy of such estimate in a conspicuous place upqn the premises. 

In case the estimated damage to buildings having masonry 
walls, and situated within the First, Second or Third Building 
District, shall exceed 50 % of the estimated value of the building, 
it shall be unlawful for any person to repair, reconstruct, or use 


THE BUILDING CODE 


175 


such building unless such building shall be reconstructed as re¬ 
quired by this Code for new buildings. In case the estimated dam¬ 
age to buildings without masonry walls, and situated within the 
First Building District shall exceed 30% of the estimated value 
of the building, and in case the estimated damage to buildings 
without masonry walls, situated in the Second or Third Building 
District, shall exceed 40% of the estimated value of the building, 
it shall be unlawful for any person to repair, reconstruct or use 
such building unless such buildings shall be reconstructed as re¬ 
quired by this Code for new buildings. 

If, however, the owner of any such building shall consider 
that the building is not, in fact, damaged to the proportionate ex¬ 
tent as estimated by the Superintendent of Buildings, he shall 
have the right to appeal from such estimate to the Board of Ap¬ 
peals, in the manner provided by this Code, and if upon the deter¬ 
mination of such appeal the action of the Superintendent of 
Buildings shall be sustained by the Board of Appeals, it shall be 
unlawful to proceed with the repair or reconstruction of, or to 
use such building; otherwise the necessary repairs may be made 
to such building subject to the provisions of this Code governing 
alterations and repairs. 

DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS. 

SECTION 1041. Whenever any building shall be demolished, 
the roof and each upper story shall be completely removed before- 
the demolition of the next lower story is begun, and no material 
in excess of 50 pounds to the square foot shall be placed upon any 
floor of any such building in course of demolition, and all brick, 
stone, timbers and other structural parts of each story shall be j 
lowered to the ground immediately upon displacement,' and all dry 
mortar, lime, brick dust or other fine material shall, before and 
during removal, be wet sufficiently to prevent it from floating or 
being blown into the street or upon adjoining property, and all 
sidewalks shall be protected by fences and scaffolds as required by 
the ordinances of the City of Seattle relating to the protection 
of sidewalks during the erection of buildings. 

ROOF TANKS. 

*SECTION 1050. It shall be unlawful for any person, to 
construct, maintain or allow, or permit to remain in or upon the 
roof of any building in the First, Second or Third Building Dis¬ 
trict any tank of a larger capacity than four hundred gallons, 
unless such tanks shall rest upon a good and sufficient foundation of 
masonry; or upon iron girders set on steel plates which rest upon a 
good and sufficient foundation of masonry; or upon iron or steel 
or reinforced concrete construction. No tank of a capacity ex¬ 
ceeding four hundred gallons shall be constructed in or upon any 
building without first submitting for the approval of the Super¬ 
intendent of Buildings a complete set of plans, showing the con- 

*At a session of the Board of Appeals held November 5, 1913, 
Seattle Trust Company for the Ballard estate, appellants, it was 
resolved that existiing roof tank supports need not be brought 
within the requirements of the Building Code, and that it was deem¬ 
ed inconsistent to consider that portion of the Code requiring stud 
or masonry supports as retroactive. 



176 


THE BUILDING CODE 


struction in detail of the supports and foundations of such tank. 
If such plans be satisfactory to the Superintendent of Buildings, 
they shall be approved by him. The owner or his agent or the 
contractor erecting such tank shall before proceeding with the 
erection of such tank procure from the Department of Buildings 
a permit for the substructure work. 

SECTION 1096. Any person who shall violate or fail to com¬ 
ply with any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed 
guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be 
punished by a fine in any sum not exceeding $100, or by imprison¬ 
ment in the city jail for a term not exceeding 30 days, or by both 
such fine and imprisonment, and each day that any person shall 
continue to violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions 
of this ordinance shall be considered a separate offense. 

SECTION 1097. In addition to the penalties provided in the 
preceding section for violations of this ordinance, any building 
or structure, or part thereof erected, altered, repaired, removed, 
arranged, equipped, used or occupied in violation of any of the 
provisions of this ordinance, shall be deemed and is hereby de¬ 
clared to be a nuisance and such nuisance may be abated in the 
maner provided by law. 

SECTION 1098. All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict 
with the provisions of this ordinance are repealed. 


ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS INCIDENT 
TO BUILDING OPERATIONS NOT 
FOUND IN THE BUILDING 
CODE PROPER. 


BUILDINGS TO BE NUMBERED. 

ORDINANCE NO. 4635.—As amended by Ordinance No. 33563, 
approved August 25, 1914. 

SECTION 3. The owner or occupant of any building or pre¬ 
mises fronting upon any way, avenue, street, drive, place or square 
shall, upon receiving three (3) days notice from the Superintend¬ 
ent of Buildings, place a correct number of such building or 
premises upon or over the doorway or entrance of the same in 
legible figures not less than two (2) inches in length and one (1) 
inch in width. If any number shall have been theretofore placed 
upon or over the doorway or entrance of any such building or 
premises which does not conform to the provisions of this ordi¬ 
nance the owner or oecupant thereof shall forth with remove and 
correct such number. 

It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Buildings to 
give the notice herein required whenever any building or premises 
within the city shall be found which is not numbered in accord¬ 
ance with the provisions of this ordinance. 


DRAINAGE. 

ORDINANCE 5675, SEC. 1. Every owner and occupant of 
any land, building or premises within the city shall, at his own 
expense, properly drain and clean any and all vaults, cesspools, 
ditches, pipes or drains in or on any such land, building or premises 
used as a receptacle or conductor of filth or refuse matter. Every 
person owning, controlling, or occupying any such land, building or 
premises, shall be responsible for the proper draining and cleaning 
thereof, and of the vaults, cesspools, ditches, pipes and drains in 
and upon the same, and shall constantly keep the same in a 
healthy condition. 

(The enforcement of this provision is incumbent on the Chief 
Sanitary Inspector of the Health and Sanitation Department.) 

SIZE AND VENTILATION OF SLEEPING APARTMENTS. 

ORDINANCE 15957, SEC. 41. It shall be unlawful for any 
person to use, conduct or keep any lodging house, tenement house, 
hotel or any house or building containing sleeping apartments, or 
to allow or permit persons to occupy as sleeping apartments any 

177 



178 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


room or place which shall contain less than 512 cubic feet of air 
or space, or less than 64 square feet of floor space for each and 
every person over 14 years of age lodging or sleeping in any such 
sleeping apartments, or less than 300 cubic feet of air or space or 40 
square feet of floor space for each child under 14 years of age, or 
which is not provided, while in use as such sleeping apartment, 
with a system of ventilation in continuous operation, so contrived 
as to provide 25 cubic feet per minute of outer air for each occu¬ 
pant thereof, exclusive of air consumed by combustion. 

ORDINANCE 15957, SEC. 42. It shall be unlawful for any 
person over 14 years of age to voluntarily and continuously occupy 
or use as a sleeping apartment any room or place in any lodging 
house, tenement house, or in any house or building whatsoever, 
containing less than 512 cubic feet of air or space, or less than 64 
square feet of floor space for each person occupying or using such 
room as a sleeping apartment. 

SIZE OF ROOMS OTHER THAN SLEEPING APARTMENTS. 

ORDINANCE 15957, SEC. 43. It shall be unlawful for any 
person to use or permit the use of any room for the purposes here¬ 
inafter designated, unless such room shall contain the amount of 
cubic feet of air space and of square feet of floor space for each 
person occupying said room: School room, for adults, 350 cubie 
feet and 20 square feet; for children, 200 cubic feet and 15 square- 
feet; hospitals, adults, 1,000 cubic feet and 75 square feet; children, 
600 cubic feet and 50 square feet; offices, workshops and factories, 
day workers, 300 cubic feet and 25 square feet; night workers, 
480 cubic feet and 40 square feet; living apartments or dwelling 
houses, 600 cubic feet, outside of closets and bath rooms, for each, 
individual occupying the apartment or dwelling. 

STREET CLOCKS. 

ORDINANCE 16081, SECTION 2, PARAGRAPH A—(As 
Amended by Ord. 29484, May 24, 1912). It shall be unlawful for; 
any person to construct, erect or maintain, in or on any public 
place, any street clock, without complying with the provisions of 
this ordinance in relation thereto, and obtaining and having a per¬ 
mit from the Superintendent of Streets and Sewers so to do. 

ORDINANCE 16081, SEC. 2, PARAGRAPH B. In order to- 
obtain the permit provided for in the preceding paragraph, the 
owner or lesee of any premises abutting the public place where it 
is desired to construct, erect or maintain the said street clock, 
shall file with the Board of Public Works an application in writing 
therefor which application shall contain an accurate description of 
the portion or portions of the public place desired to be occupied 
and the plans and specifications of the clock which it is desired to 
place therein, including the proposed illumination of the. same, 
which illumination shall conform with the regulations prescribed 
by the Superintendent of Streets and Sewers, and the Board of 
Public Works, if it shall find that such clock can be constructed 
and maintained without unduly obstructing such public place or 
interfering with the public utilities therein, or thereon, may in its- 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


179 


reasonable discretion, authorize the Superintendent of Streets and 
Sewers to grant a permit to construct and maintain such clock. 


AWNINGS AND MARQUEES. 

ORDINANCE 16081, SEC. 3, PARAGRAPH (A) .—As amended 
by Ordinance 29484, approved May 24, 1912.) It shall be unlaw¬ 
ful for any person to construct or maintain in or over any public 
place, any awning, without complying with all the provisions of 
this ordinance in relation thereto, and obtaining and having a 
permit from the Superintendent of Streets and Sewers so to do, 
except that all permits for other than canvas covered awnings shall 
be issued by the Superintendent of Buildings when authorized by 
the Board of Public Works so to do. 

ORDINANCE 16081, SEC. 3, PARAGRAPH (AA)—As amend¬ 
ed by Ordinance 31148, approved April 16, 1913.) Any person, 
firm, or corporation engaged in the construction or hanging of can¬ 
vas covered awnings may, instead of procuring a permit as speci¬ 
fied in Section 3 (a), upon application to the Superintendent of 
Streets and Sewers, procure a permanent permit to hang canvas 
covered awnings by maintaining a deposit of not less than fifty 
dollars ($50.00) with the City Treasurer in the Guarantee Deposit 
Pund and agreeing to file with the Superintendent of Streets and 
Sewers on Monday of each week, a list of all awnings hung during 
the previous week, or to be hung; the deposit to insure the hanging 
of said awnings according to the conditions of ordinances govern¬ 
ing the same, especially Ordinance No. 16081 and Ordinance No. 
29484 and in case of failure or neglect of the person, firm, or cor¬ 
poration making such deposit complying with the conditions of 
above ordinances governing canvas covered awnings, the Superin¬ 
tendent of Streets and Sewers shall cause said awning to be re¬ 
moved from the public place and the cost thereof shall be de¬ 
ducted from the deposit. Any awning now existing or hung pre¬ 
vious to or by virtue of this ordinance, which shall violate this 
ordinance or other ordinance regulating awnings, or become de¬ 
fective, shall, upon a reasonable notice from the Superintendent 
of Streets and Sewers so to do, be removed from over the public 
street. Pulling up or tieing against a building will not be con¬ 
sidered complying with the intent of this ordinance, but must be 
removed from the structure to which it is attached. 

ORDINANCE 16081, SEC. 3, PARAGRAPH (B)— As amend¬ 
ed by Ordinance 29484, approved May 24, 1912.) In order to ob¬ 
tain the permit provided for in the preceding paragraph for other 
than canvas covered awnings, the owner or lessee of the premises 
abutting which it is desired to construct such awning, shall file 
with the Superintendent of Buildings, an application in writing 
therefor, which application shall contain an accurate description 
of the portion or portions of the public place desired to be occupied, 
together with plans and specifications of the awning which it is 
desired to construct or maintain therein, and if the Superintendent 
of Buildings shall find that said application and the plans and 
specifications conform with the regulations of the ordinance cov¬ 
ering strength, safety, material and design of such awnings, he 
shall endorse his recommendation thereon, and refer to the Super¬ 
intendent of Streets and Sewers and if the Superintendent of 


180 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


Streets and Sewers shall find that said awnings can be constructed 
and maintained without unduly interfering with, or obstructing 
the use of such public place, he may in his reasonable discretion 
recommend to the Board of Public Works that a permit be granted, 
and the Board of Public Works, after a public hearing in the 
matter, may in its reasonable discretion, authorize the Superin¬ 
tendent of Buildings to issue the said permit. 

ORDINANCE 16081, SEC. 4.—(As amended by Ordinance 
36865 approved January 3, 1917.) SECTION 1. That section 
4 of Ordinance No. 16081, as amended by Ordinances Nos. 19346, 
29484, and 32515, be and the same is hereby further amended to 
read as follows: 

SECTION 4. All awnings to be constructed or maintained 
under the provisions ofthis ordinance shall be constructed either 
of a metal frame, with canvas covering, or of a metal frame with 
sheet metal or wire glass or super-glass covering; provided, how¬ 
ever, that art glass in panels not more than 18 inches wide, the 
panels to be supported by the metal framework of the awning, 
and to be composed of small panes of glass not larger than 36 
square inches each in area, assembled in copper or zinc may be 
permitted as a covering for such awnings, if protected by a stout 
wire screen of not more than 1 inch mesh, stretched tightly across 
the upper side of such awnings, and securely fastened in such 
a manner as to protect the glass from breakage; and provided 
that plain sheet metal shall not be thinner than 22 gauge nor 
more than 2 feet wide between supporting ribs and shall be well 
fastened to supports. The lowest point of any awning shall be not 
less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalk, and no cloth, drapery, 
sign or other thing shall be added, attached to or suspended from 
such awnings. The frames and supports of all awnings shall be 
securely attached to the walls of the building from which they 
project by metal brackets, chains or rods, and shall not be sup¬ 
ported by posts or similar devices projecting into, or erected upon 
the street, except as hereinafter provided. All awnings other than 
canvas covered awnings shall be of such design and construction 
as to sustain with safety, in addition to the dead weight of the 
awning, a live load of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square 
foot of area. All awnings other than canvas covered awnings 
shall be provided with metal conductors for water, which con¬ 
ductors shall drain back to the property line and be connected 
with the sewer in the manner provided by the plumbing ordinances 
of the city. All awnings shall be reasonably uniform in appear¬ 
ance and ornamental in design and shall project as nearly hori¬ 
zontal from the building to which they are attached as is practic¬ 
able, and shall be well lighted with electricity, according to the 
direction of the Superintendent of Streets and Sewers. Except 
as hereinafter provided, no awning shall project more than nine 
(9) feet from theproperty line. No awning shall be attached to 
or suspended from any building unless the strength of the build¬ 
ing is such as to sustain with safety the awmng and a live load of 
not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot applied uniformily 
over the area of the awning; provided, however, that in the case of 
an awning extending to the curb, as hereinafter provided, when the 
strength of the building is such that the awning cannot be sus¬ 
pended from it with safety, as provided herein, the Board of 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


181 


Public Works may permit the awning to be supported by not more 
than two (2) ornamental iron or steel posts, located at the curb 
line. No awning and no post supporting any awning shall be 
constructed at such location or in such manner as to obstruct, or 
interfere with any street cluster light, and to this end there shall 
be a clearance between any awning and any street cluster light 
of not less than five (5) feet horizontally and three (3) feet 
vertically. On buildings in the wholesale district awnings may be 
allowed to extend to the curb, and in the retail district a portion 
of any awning fifteen (15) feet wide immediately opposite the 
entrance to a store or building may be, in the discretion of the 
Board of Public Works, extended to the curb; and provided, that 
any awning in front of a public market may be allowed to extend 
to the curb with such number of supports of such construction, 
as may be approved by the Board of Public Works. 

SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 
thirty days from and after its passage and approval, if approved 
by.the Mayor; otherwise it shall take effect at the time it shall 
become a law under the provisions of the city charter.. 

AREA WAYS OR VAULTS UNDER SIDEWALKS. 

ORDINANCE 32578, SEC. 3. Passed February 9, 1914, (Sec¬ 
tions 5, 6 and 7 of Ordinance 16081 repealed). No area way shall 
be constructed or maintained under or beneath any public place un¬ 
less the same shall be constructed and covered in such a manner and 
with such material and of such strength as hereinafter provided. 

In the case of area ways built in connection with new build¬ 
ings, it shall be required that the plans and specifications thereof 
be submitted to the Superintendent of Buildings for examination, 
and that his endorsement in writing be made upon the application 
for the permit hereinbefore described. 

All area ways shall be enclosed in walls of masonry, or of 
masonry and iron or steel, with sidewalks over area ways con¬ 
structed of like material, except as hereinafter provided. 

The walls of area ways must be so constructed as to safely 
withstand all the forces exerted against, upon, or under them, and 
such walls shall not be deemed to be reinforced by bracing 'to a 
building unless all the portions of said building and bracing upon 
which dependence is placed, are fireproof and properly protected 
against corrosion. 

In designing area walls, the following assumptions shall 
govern 

(a) That the angle of repose of the filling is not more than 

32° 42'. 2 on 3). 

(b) That the weight of the filling is not less than 120 
pounds per cubic foot. 

(c) That the traffic load or surcharge on the surface of the 
public place is 200 pounds per square foot. 

(d) That the total horizontal pressure in pounds per lineal 
foot of wall is not less than that found by the formula. 

W H 2 


7 where “W ,; equals 120 pounds and "H’’ equals 
actual height of wall in feet plus 1.66 feet. 



182 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


(e) That the above total horizontal pressure acts at a 
point below the top of the wall equal to not more than 
two-thirds the height. 

All area walls located at the curb line shall be at least 17" 
thick at the top. 

Walls depending solely upon their mass for stability, com¬ 
monly called “ gravity walls, ’’ shall be increased in thickness from 
the top downward not less than 6" in every 2'0", by being battered 
on their exposed face. If there be cross walls of masonry at least 
8" thick, spaced not over 20 feet apart and so built as to substant¬ 
ially brace the same, the area way wall shall be battered at least 
3" in every 24". Such increase in thickness may be secured by 
being ‘ 1 stepped ” or “ offset, ’ ’ provided the strength of the wall 
and. its resistance against overturning be maintained equal to that 
of the battered wall as hereinbefore described. All such walls 
shall rest upon footings 50% wider than the base of the wall and 
not less than 8" high nor reduced more than 6" for each foot of 
height of the footing. 

In the construction of area walls and sidewalks, in addition 
to the requirements herein set forth all the requirements of Ordi¬ 
nance No. 31578 and all amendments thereto shall be deemed to 
apply and govern in so far as they may be applicable. 

Sidewalks over area ways shall be of sufficient strength irre¬ 
spective of the top 1" of their thickness, to sustain safely a live 
load of 300 pounds per square foot of their surface. 

Concrete used in arches or reinforced walks shall be mixed in 
the following proportions, namely: 1 barrel of cement, 8 cubic feet 
of sand and 16 cubic feet of gravel. The wearing surface shall con¬ 
sist of 1 part cement to 1% parts of sand, and shall be %" thick, 
colored to a uniform color with % of a pound of lamp-black to 1 
barrel of cement. 

Where “I” beams or expanded metal is used there shall be 
at least 4" of concrete and topping inclusive, in the clear between 
the reinforcng steel and the surface of the walk. 

Prism lights shall not be over 3" square and not less than 1" 
thick and when set in the walk on grades exceeding 8% shall 
have at least 3" of cement in the clear between the lights at right 
angles to the curb, raised %" above the surface of the walk. 

Ventilators may be constructed if securely covered by a 
wrought iron grating or other substantial metal covering with 
openings not to exceed 1" in width and placed next to the property 
line and not extending more than 18" therefrom. 

On grades exceeding 8% lights must be placed on the property 
line and not extend over 3'6" into the walk. No lights shall be 
placed in front of entrances where trucking is necessary and all 
lights shall be assembled and built at the time when, and the 
place where the walk is constructed. 

Area way entrances, light wells or openings, except sidewalk 
elevators or doors constructed and maintained as provided for in 
this ordinance shall be constructed and maintained as follows: 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


18a 


Any sidewalks adjacent to the lot line of buildings of brick or stone 
or first class permanent structurs now or hereafter erected, three 
stories or more in height above the main entrance, will be allowed 
on side hill streets when the grade of such street is more than 
12%, such area way entrance, light wells and openings shall not 
extend in any case over thirty inches from the property line, nor 
to within 36" of the edge of any street or alley, and shall be guard¬ 
ed by a substantial metal railing of such strength as to afford 
protection to pedestrians. 

Openings for fuel shall be allowed to be maintained as pro¬ 
vided for elevator doors under section 10 of Ordinance 16081, pro¬ 
viding when said openings for fuel or other purposes shall be so 
small as to be made in one single door. A metal guard shall be at¬ 
tached to said door in such a manner as to raise and lower auto¬ 
matically with the door. The city will furnish a plan for this con¬ 
struction. 

No boiler or other dangerous apparatus or any explosive shall 
be places or stored in any area way or space under any public 
place. 

Provided, that in extraordinary cases where large buildings 
are constructed, such changes may be made as will be approved 
by the Superintendent of Buildings, based on the best engineering 
methods, and 

Provided, however, that in granting such permit, the said 
Board of Public Works shall reserve to the City of Seattle the 
right and privilege to thereafter maintain within said area way 
such conduits as may be necessary to properly supply with electric 
current such electric lights as may be maintained by the City of 
Seattle above such area way for public purposes. 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DISTRICTS DEFINED. 

ORDINANCE 16081, SECTION 10—(As amended by Ordi¬ 
nance 30603, approved December 31, 1912.) The words ‘ 1 Wholesale 
District, ’ ’ as hereinafter used, shall be held and construed. to 
mean and include that certain portion of the City of Seattle lying 
within the following described limits, namely: 

Beginning at the center line of Yesler Way opposite the east 
margin of Fourth Avenue South, and running thence south along 
the east margin of said Fourth Avenue South to the north margin 
of Jackson Street; thence east along the north margin of Jackson 
Street to the east margin of Fifth Avenue South; thence south 
along the east margin of Fifth Avenue South to the north margin 
of King Street; thence east along the north margin of King Street 
to the east margin of Sixth Avenue South; thence south along the 
east margin of Sixth Avenue South to the south margin of Massa¬ 
chusetts Street; thence west along the south margin of Massachu¬ 
setts Street to the east margin of Railroad Avenue; thence north¬ 
erly along the westerly margin of Railroad Avenue South to the 
center line of Yesler Way; thence east along the center line of 
Yesler Way to the place of beginning. The words “ Retail Dis¬ 
trict” shall be held and construed to mean and include all that 
part of the city lying outside of the “Wholesale District” as 
above described. 


184 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


SIDEWALK ELEVATORS AND DOORS 

The maximum size of any sidewalk elevator in the ‘‘ Whole¬ 
sale District ’’ shall not exceed 5'0" square or 3'6" in width and 
11' in length, and the same shall be placed immediately adjoining 
the curb, and the lesser side shall be placed at right angles to the 
curb. The sides of such elevator shall be closed with gates, and 
ingress to and egress from the same shall be had through gates 
opened so as not to obstruct travel upon the sidewalks. The max¬ 
imum size of any such elevator in the “ Retail District'’ shall be 
3'6" in width and 5'0" in length, and the same shall be constructed 
immediately adjoining the Curb, and the maximum width of 3'6" 
shall be at right angles to the curb, provided, however, that in 
those cases where the area wall has been already built and there 
are physical conditions which render it practically impossible to 
place an elevator immediately adjoining the curb, the Board of 
Public Works may, in its discretion, after an examination of the 
premises, allow the frame of the elevator door to be placed not 
more than 15" in from the curb, the especial conditions being prop¬ 
erly endorsed upon the permit therefor. Within the 11 Retail 
District," instead of elevators, permits may be granted for trap 
doors, not exceeding 3'0" in width, measured at right angles to the 
curb, and not exceeding 5'0" in length, and constructed immediate¬ 
ly adjoining the curb, which doors shall be opened and used for 
the removal of freight, only during such hours and in such manner 
and under such terms as are hereinafter described for the opera¬ 
tion of elevators in said “Retail District." 

No elevator in the “Retail District" shall be operated be¬ 
tween the hours of 9 o ’clock a. m. and 9 o ’clock p. m., except in 
case of emergency, in which case said elevators may be operated 
for a period not exceeding 15 minutes within the time between 
9 o ’clock a. m. and 12 o ’clock noon, or a similar period of 15 
minutes between the hours of 12 o’clock noon and 3 o’clock p. m. 
and during such operation there must be stationed on the side¬ 
walk at such elevator a man charged with the care of such elevators 
whose sole and only duty shall be to guard such elevator. Said 
man shall also be on duty at any and all times when said elevator 
is in use whether by night or day. 

All elevators or trap doors constructed or maintained under 
the provisions of this ordinance shall, when not in use, be securely 
closed by metal doors of sufficient weight and thickness and so 
constructed as to sustain a safe weight of 350 pounds per square 
foot, and all doors and hinges shall be so constructed that their 
surface will lie flat with the surface of the sidewalk, and will 
present no obstruction to traffic whatever, and shall be so rough¬ 
ened as to occasion no danger whatever to pedestrians. 

ORDINANCE NO 32988, approved. April 22, 1914. 

SECTION 1 . No permit shall be issued by the Superintendent 
of Buildings of the City of Seattle for the construction, recon¬ 
struction, alteration or repair of any building or structure Within 
the city unless provisions shall be made in the plans for such 
building or structure for the proper rat-proofing of the same as in 
this ordinance provided. 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


185 


^SECTION 2. Any building or structure hereafter erected 
which shall not be raised at least eighteen (18) inches above the 
level of the ground at all points, shall be required to have its 
foundation walls of concrete or of brick or stone laid in cement 
mortar or some other material which shall be of equal value for 
rat-proofing. If such walls shall be of brick they shall not be less 
than eight (8) inches thick, and if of concrete they shall not be 
less than six (6) inches thick. Such walls shall extend around the 
entire area to be occupied by the building or structure, and shall 
extend not less than eighteen (18) inches below the surface of the 
ground. The full floor area under such building must be covered 
by concrete not less than three (3) inches thick. If it is proposed 
to place flooring over any concrete floor area and not in direct con¬ 
tact therewith, such flooring shall be double, with wire netting of 
such form and quality as may be required by the Superintendent 
of Buildings between the two layers of such flooring, and no dead 
space shall be allowed between the two layers, and any such 
double floor shall be constructed throughout of tongued and 
grooved lumber, and the wire netting above specified shall be ex¬ 
tended upon the walls not less than eighteen MS') inches: provided, 
that if there is no dead space between the wooden floors and the 
concrete layer, such flooring may consist of a single layer. 

SECTION 3. No permit shall be granted by the Superintend¬ 
ent of Buildings for the reconstruction, alteration or repair of any 
building or structure unless provisions shall be made in the plans 
therefor for the proper rat-proofing of such building or structure 
in substantial compliance with the provisions of this ordinance 
as set forth in Section 2 hereof, when in the judgment of the Sup¬ 
erintendent of Buildings it is practicable, desirable and necessary 
that such rat-proofing be done, but in no event shall such recon¬ 
struction, repair or alteration be permitted without full compliance 
with all the provisions of this ordinance where the cost and ex¬ 
pense of such reconstruction, alteration or repair shall in the 
opinion of the Superintendent of Buildings equal or exceed 40 
per cent of the value of the structure sought to be reconstructed, 
altered or repaired. . 

Repeals all conflicting ordinances. Penalties for violation, 
$100 fine or 30 days 7 imprisonment, or both. 


BILLBOARDS. 

ORDINANCE NO. 36558. 

SECTION 1. The term “Billboard 77 as used in this ordinance 
shall be held and construed to mean and include any billboard, 
bulletin board, sign board, electric or illuminated sign, frame 
work, fence, building or structure erected, constructed, maintained 
or used for advertising purposes whereon any poster, bill, printing, 
painting, device or other advertising matter of any kind what¬ 
soever may be placed, stuck, tacked, posted printed, painted, 
pasted or fastened. Each frontage of any billboard in whatever 
direction the same may face, and any billboard built upon anothe , 
shall be held to be a separate billboard. 

^Miscellaneous out-buildings not containing grain nor other 
rat-proofed. 



186 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


SECTION 2. The term “person” as used in this ordinance 
shall be held and construed to mean and include natural persons 
of either sex, associations, copartnerships and corporations, wheth¬ 
er acting by themselves, or by a servant, agent or employe; the 
singular number shall be held and construed to mean and include 
the plural, and the masculine pronoun to include the feminine. 

SECTION 3. Any person who shall maintain, post up or affix 
in any manner, or paint, print or write, or cause to be posted, 
affixed, printed, painted or written a notice or advertising upon 
any billboard is hereby declared to be a billposter. 

SECTION 4. It shall be unlawful for any person to do bill- 
posting, or to exercise, carry on or engage in the occupation of 
billposting in the City of Seattle, without first having obtained 
a license so to do; provided, that no license shall be required of 
any person advertising any business, trade or occupation carried 
on or conducted in any building or structure which advertising 
is intended and designed to give publicity to the business, trade 
or occupation carried on or conducted within the building or 
structure to or from which such advertising is attached or dis¬ 
played. 

SECTION 5. Every billposter shall pay an annual license fee 
of two hundred and fifty (250) dollars and one (1) per cent of the 
gross income derived from his business, which one (1) per cent of 
gross income shall be determined quarterly for the quarters ending 
March 31st, June 30th, September 30th and December 31st, and 
shall be payable within fifteen (15) days after the termination 
of each such quarter. At the end of each such quarter every bill¬ 
poster shall immediately file with the city treasurer a sworn state¬ 
ment seting forth the gross receipts derived from the business of 
such billposter for such quarter. 

The books of every billposter shall be open to inspection by 
the license inspector of the city at all times for the purpose of 
determining the correctness of any statement as to gross receipts. 

SECTION <:>, It shall be unlawful for any person erecting, 
constructing, owning, maintaining or controlling any billboard to 
fail, neglect or refuse to cause the name of the person erecting, 
constructing, owning, maintaining or controlling such billboard at 
all times to be plainly marked, painted or outlined in a conspicu¬ 
ous place on such billboard. 

SECTION 7. The license herein provided for shall be issued 
by the city comptroller and ex-officio city clerk on the presentation 
to him of the receipt of the city treasurer showing payment of the 
license fee. 

SECTION 8. All billboards hereafter erected in the First, 
Second and Third Building Districts of the city shall have adequate’ 
supports and shall be faced with metal or other noncombustible 
materials. All billboards, wherever erected, shall be so con¬ 
structed, braced and maintained as to withstand a lateral wind 
pressure of thirty (30) pounds to the square foot. 

SECTION 9. Billboards when attached to the front, sides or 
rear walls of any building so that the flat surface of the same 
is against the building, or when erected on the ground, if not 


MISCELLANEOUS OBDINANCES 


187 


erected nearer than ten (10) feet to any building, structure or 
other billboard or public sidewalk, which are used to advertise the 
sale or lease of the property upon which they shall be erected, may 
be built of wood or other combustible material, and such bill¬ 
boards shall be exempt from the provisions of this ordinance, 
except that they shall be safely and securely fastened or anchored 
and shall be so constructed, anchored and fastened as to withstand 
the wind pressure specified in this ordinance; provided, that if 
such signs exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area, a permit 
for the construction of he same must first be obtained from the 
Superintendent of Buildings, the application for which shall in¬ 
clude the plans and specifications of such billboard and its sup¬ 
ports and fastenings. 

SECTION 10. The vertical dimension of all billboards here¬ 
after erected, except those on top of buildings, shall not exceed 
thirteen (13) feet, and no billboard shall be constructed so that 
the total height exceeds fifteen (15) feet above the grade of the 
sidewalks or above the ground upon which the same is built, except 
as otherwise herein provided. All billboards shall have an open 
space of at least two (2) feet between the lower edge thereof and 
the ground, which space shall at all times be kept open and un¬ 
obstructed, except that a baseboard not exceeding six (6) inches in 
width may be constructed and maintained between the lower edge 
of any such billboard and the surface of the ground. No billboard 
shall approach nearer than ten feet to the street line of any pub¬ 
lic street or place upon which any lot occupied by such billboard 
abuts or fronts, except as otherwise herein provided, nor shall 
any such billboard be erected or constructed nearer the street line 
than the building line of any building within fifty (50) feet of 
any such billboard, except as otherwise herein provided. In front 
of earth banks billboards may be permitted not exceeding twenty- 
five (25) feet in height, including the height of supports, but the 
top of any such billboard shall not be higher at any point than 
the top of the bank directly behind it if such bank exceeds fifteen 
(15) feet in height, nor more than twenty-five (25) feet distant 
horizontally from the face of such bank. 

The provisions of this section that no billboard shall approach 
nearer than ten (10) feet to the street line of any street or public 
place upon which any lot occupied by said billboard abuts or 
fronts and that no billboard may be erected nearer the street line 
than the building line of any building within fifty (50) feet of any 
such billboard, shall not apply when it is desired to erect any 
billboard in front of or upon earth banks exceeding six (6) feet 
in height or adjacent to or over depressions or excavations ex¬ 
ceeding six (6) feet in depth, but in such cases billboards may 
be erected as near the street line as such embankments or ex¬ 
cavations may approach thereto. 

The ends of all billboards in front of banks as described in 
this section shall be securely connected to the bank with lattice 
work of such construction as will be approved by the Superintend*- 
ent of Buildings and the space underneath every such billboard 
shall be closed with a bulkhead or approved lattice work instead of 
being open as otherwise herein provided; provided, however, that 
billboards may be erected or maintained exceeding fifteen (15) 
feet, and not exceeding twenty-five (25) feet, in height above the 


188 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


grade of the sidewalk and the ground upon which they are built 
under a permit from the Board of Public Works, as hereinafter 
provided. Said permit shall be granted only upon the written ap¬ 
plication of the applicant; shall contain the name of the applicant 
and the proposed location of any billboard proposed to be erected, 
together with the statement of the applicant that said billboard 
shall conform in all respects to the requirements of this ordinance. 
If it shall appear that such proposed billboard may be erected, or 
maintained on the proposed location without injuriously affecting 
the health, safety or morals of the public, the Board of Public 
Works may grant such permit. 

SECTION 11. Any billboard which may be or become unsafe 
or defective, and any billboard which may hereafter be erected, 
altered or reconstructed contrary to the requirements of this or¬ 
dinance, shall be removed or made to conform to the terms and 
requirements of this ordinance by the owner thereof, or by the 
owner of the ground upon which the same is built, upon receipt 
of notice so to do from the Superintendent of Buildings. It shall 
be the duty of the Superintendent of buildings to serve notice on 
any person maintaining any billboard not in conformity with the 
provisions of this ordinance, which said notice shall require the 
immediate removal of such billboard or alteration thereof to con¬ 
form to th,e requirements of this ordiance. 

SECTION 12. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, 
construct or maintain any billboard facing upon the street line of 
any public street in any block in which more than two-thirds of all 
the buildings in said block and facing upon said street line are 
occupied exclusively for residential purposes, without first ob¬ 
taining the written consent of the owners of a majority of the 
frontage on said street line within a distance of two hundred feet 
of such billboard, and filing said written consent with the city 
comptroller; provided, however, if such buildings so used exclusive¬ 
ly for residential purposes are less than three in number, or are 
more than two hundred (200) feet distant from such billboard, then 
it shall not be necessary to obtain such written consent. 

SECTION 13. No person shall directly or indirectly post or 
cause to. be posted, placed or maintained any advertising matter of 
any kind on or about any public or private building or property, 
structure, fence or street car without the written consent of the 
owner or agent thereof, nor shall and advertising matter of any 
kind be attached to or placed on any telegraph or telephone pole 
or tree or part thereof. 

SECTION 14. No billboard anchored, fastened to, maintained 
or situated above or upon any roof of a building shall be placed so 
that the face of the same shall come within three (3) feet of the 
inner plane of the outer wall of such building, nor shall the same 
be constructed so that the bottom of such billbard shall be less 
than five (5) feet above the surface of such roof, nor the top there¬ 
of more than eighteen (18) feet above such roof. The face of 
such billboard shall not exceed thirteen (13) feet in height, nor 
shall the ends thereof approach nearer the outer wall of any build¬ 
ing than five (5) feet. When two or more billboards are placed 
upon any building one above another the height of the same shall 
be measured as if they were but one. No such billboard shall be 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


189 


placed so as to obstruct any fire escape op interfere with the opera¬ 
tion of the fire department of the city, nor shall any such billboard 
be erected so as to cover any window opening or door in any 
building. 

SECTION 15. It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit, 
post or display, or cause or permit to be exhibited, posted or dis¬ 
played upon any billboard, any statement, words or signs of an 
obscene, indecent or immoral nature, or any picture, illustration or 
delineation of any human figure in such detail as to offend public 
morality or decency, or of any lewd or lascivious act, or any other 
matter or thing of an obscene, indecent or immoral nature, or 
offensive to the moral sense, or of any murder, suicide, robbery, 
holdup, shooting, stabbing, clubbing or beating of any human be¬ 
ing, wherein any such act is shown in a gruesome manner or detail, 
or any manner objectionable to the moral sense. 

SECTION 16. Every person who shall erect, construct or 
maintain any billboard shall, at his own cost and expense, keep the 
ground on either side of the same clean and free from waste, filth, 
weeds or accumulations of any kind or nature. 

SECTION 17. Every person engaged in the business of con¬ 
structing, erecting or maintaining any billboard in the City of Se¬ 
attle shall file with the city comptroller and ex-officio city clerk 
a surety company bond, approved by the mayor and city comp¬ 
troller, in the sum of ten thousand dollars (10,000), conditioned 
that such person shall faithfully comply with all provisions of 
this ordinance with respect to the construction, alteration, location 
and safety of billboards erected, constructed or maintained by such 
person, and conditioned further to indemnify and keep the City 
of Seattle harmless from any and all claims, damages, losses, 
actions, suits or judgments which may be presented, sustained, 
brought or secured against the city or any of its officials on ac¬ 
count of the construction, erection or maintenance, alteration or 
removal of any billboard, or by reason of any accidents resulting 
therefrom. 

SECTION 18. The restriction and requirements of this ordi¬ 
nance as to the payment of license fees, the dimensions of bill¬ 
boards, the distance above the ground, height, distance from build¬ 
ings and other billboards, or from streets and other public places, 
shall not be construed as applying to the painting or affixing of ad¬ 
vertisements on the walls of permanent buildings. 

SECTION 19. The provisions of this ordinance in so far as 
the same affect electric or illuminated signs, shall not be con¬ 
strued as in any manner waiving the provisions of any existing 
ordinance or such as may hereafter be enacted relating to the con¬ 
struction and maintenance of such signs, when not in conflict 
herewith. 

SECTION 20. From and after the first day of September, 
1917, all billboards erected or maintained at the time of the taking 
effect ofthis ordinance shall be made to conform to the provisions 
and requirements hereof wh n and as required from time to time 
by the Board of Public Works. 


190 


MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES 


SECTION 21. Any person violating or failing to comply with 
any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a 
misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof, shall be fined in any sum 
not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars, or imprisoned in the city 
jail for a term not exceeding thirty (30) days, or may be both so 
fined and imprisoned. 

SECTION 22. If any section, subdivision, sentence or clause 
of this ordinance shall be held invalid, such holding shall not 
affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. 

SECTION 23. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict 
herewith are hereby repealed. 

SECTION 24. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 
thirty days from and after its passage and approval, if approved 
by the Mayor; otherwise it shall take take effect at the time it 
shall become a law under the provisions of the city charter. 


PLUMBING ORDINANCE 

(Ordinance No. 22839) 

Approved by the Mayor, December 29, 1909. 


ADMINISTRATION. 

SECTION 1. The word “inspector” wherever used in this 
ordinance shall be held to mean and include the Commissioner of 
Health of the City of Seattle, or his duly authorized assistants. 
The word “person” wherever used in this ordinance shall be held 
to mean and include natural persons of either sex, associations, 
co-partnerships and corporations, whether acting by themselves or 
by a servant, agent or employe. The singular number shall be held 
to include the plural, and the masculine pronoun to include the 
feminine. 

SECTION 2. It shall be unlawful for any person to begin or 
perform any work on the construction, reconstruction, alteration 
or repair ofany plumbing or house drainage system, or systems 
of pipes for the conveyance, distribution or use of illuminating or 
fuel gas in any building in the City of Seattle, without complying 
with all the provisions of this ordinance in relation thereto, and 
obtaining and having a permit from the Commissioner of Health 
so to do, which permit must at all times during the performance 
of such work and until the completion thereof posted in some con¬ 
spicuous place in the building wherein such work is being done; 
provided, however, that no permit will be required for the removal 
of stoppage in soil or waste pipes, provided a cleanout is inserted 
as in this ordinance provided, or for replacing broken fixtures, 
providing such fixtures conform to the regulations contained in 
this ordinance, nor for replacing tanks or faucets or repairing 
leaks in waste or water pipes. 

SECTION 3. In order to obtain the permit provided for in 
the preceding section, the owner of the premises, or his authorized 
agent or the plumbing contractor employed to do the work shall 
file in the office of the inspector an application in writing for such 
permit, stating therein the number and kind of fixtures to be 
used in such work, the street and house number of the premises 
where the work is to be done, the name of the owner, and the 
name and address of the plumbing contractor, and containing an 
agreement that such work is to be done in accordance with the 
charter and ordinances of the City of Seattle. 

Where plumbing is being done in several adjoining buildings 
or in apartment houses where the arrangement of pipes and fixtures 
is exactly the same in each, and all being done under one contract, 
one permit will be sufficient. In case city water is to be used in 
connection with any work for which a permit is required, as here¬ 
inabove provided, no permit shall issue until the owner of the 

191 



192 


PLUMBING OBDINANCES 


premises shall have applied and contracted for such city water as 
provided by ordinance, evidence of which to be furnished by the 
Superintendent of Water Works, shall accompany the application 
for the permit. 

No permit issued under the provisions of this section shall 
be valid for a longer period than that specified in such permit, but 
such permit may be renewed or extended in the reasonable discre¬ 
tion of the inspector upon the proper application being made 
therefor prior to the expiration of the time originally limited 
therein. In case work shall not be done or completed within the 
time specified in the permit and no extention is granted, a new 
permit shall be taken out. 

No permit shall be issued by the inspector until the following 
fees for inspection have been paid to the City Treasurer: 

When the building contains from one to six plumbing fixtures 
the sum of 30 cents shall be paid for the inspection of each fixture, 
and for each and every additional fixture thereafter installed or 
for which waste or vent fittings are installed, the sum of 15 
cents shall be the fee for inspection; provided, that from and 
after the first day of January, 1913, no fee for such inspection shall 
be charged or required. 

The word “ fixtures ” as used in this ordinance, shall be held 
to mean and include all fixtures connected with drains or waste 
pipes that drain into and are connected with a sewer, cesspool or 
septic tank. 

SECTION 4. When a permit has been issued for plumbing, 
gas fitting or house drainage work, the work done and the material 
used shall be under the supervision of the inspector at all times 
until its completion, and the inspector may stop any work and 
revoke said permit when the work being done, or the material 
used, is not in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance, 
and it shall be unlawful for any person to proceed further with 
said work without the written consent of the inspector. 

SECTION 5. When a permit has been issued for plumbing, 
gas fitting or house drainage work, no additional work shall be 
put in without the approval of the inspector, and a new permit 
must be taken out covering all such additional work. 

SECTION 6. When the roughing-in work of any plumbing 
or house drainage has been completed, and before any such work 
has been covered or in any way concealed from view, the same 
must be subjected to one of the following tests: By plugging all 
openings and filling with water to the highest point, or by 
pressure of air of not less than 15 pounds to the square inch (on 
a spring gauge to the satisfaction of the inspector, or a column of 
7 inches of mercury on a mercury gauge). When work has been 
tested and proved perfectly tight, the inspector shall be notified 
that such work is ready for inspection, and it shall be the duty of 
the contracting plumber to see that all work is left open and con¬ 
venient for inspection until inspected. The inspector shall inspect 
all work within three working days after having been notified that 
such work is ready for inspection, by causing the plumbing con¬ 
tractor to apply, in the inspector’s presence, one of the above 
tests, such tests to include all soil, waste and vent pipes, brass 
ferrules and soldering nipples in connection with the work. 


YOUR 

City Light 

DEPARTMENT 

Wants Your 

LIGHT and POWER 
BUSINESS 


Phone Main 6000 

County-City Building 





CITY LIGHT 

will do your 

Cooking 

Water-Heating 

Sweeping 

Washing and Ironing 

will make your Home 

more Comfortable 
Convenient 
and Efficient 

Consult your Light Dep’t. on 

Cost of Appliances 
their Installation 
and Operation 

Phone Main 6000 

County-City Building 






PLUMBING OKDINANCES 


193 


SECTION 7. Any person doing work under the provisions of 
of this ordinance shall, when the work is ready for inspection, 
notify the inspector in writing, giving location of the premises 
and the time that the work will be ready for inspection, and if, 
upon inspection, the inspector finds the work or material used is 
not in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance, he shall 
notify the person doing the work, and also the owner of the 
premises, by posting a written notice upon the premises and mail¬ 
ing a copy of the same to the contracting plumber, and such 
notice shall be all the notice that is required to be given of the 
defects in the work or material found upon such inspection. 

SECTION 8. When work is completed and all fixtures set,, 
the Inspector must be notified in writing that the work is ready 
for final inspection, and the Inspector may require a final test of 
either smoke or peppermint, and no plumbing work shall be used 
until this inspection has been made and a certificate of approval 
has been issued to the plumbing contractor, owner or agent. 

SECTION 9. In case, upon inspection, as provided in the pre¬ 
ceding sections, it shall appear that the work already done or the 
material used does not in all respects conform with the provisions 
of this ordinance, the Inspector shall order such changes in work¬ 
manship or material as will make the same conform in all respects 
to the provisions of this ordinance, and the Inspector is hereby 
authorized and empowered, in all cases of failure, neglect or refusal 
to comply with such order on the part of any owner, agent or oc¬ 
cupant, to condemn the building or premises as hereinafter in this 
ordinance provided. 

SECTION 10. Whenever, upon inspection, any building or 
premises, or any part thereof, for any insanitary cause is found un¬ 
fit for human habitation, the Commissioner of Health may require 
the vacation of said building, premises or part thereof, and a writ¬ 
ten order shall be conspicuously affixed and posted in the building- 
or premises, and where practicable shall be served upon the owner, 
agent or occupant of such premises. 

SECTION 11. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail, 
neglect, or refuse to comply with the order of the Commissioner of 
Health, or fail to vacate the premises upon being ordered so to 
do by the Commissioner of Health, as provided in the preceding 
section. 

SECTION 12. The maintenance of any plumbing, gas fitting- 
or house drainage system in an insanitary condition shall be deem¬ 
ed a nuisance, and the same shall be abated in the manner pro¬ 
vided by law. 

SECTION 13. The Inspector shall have free access to all 
buildings for the purpose of examining the same and all plumbing, 
gas fitting and house drainage systems therein, and ascertaining 
whether the provisions of this ordinance are being complied with 
and for such purposes shall, at all reasonable times, have a right to 
enter and inspect such buildings; and it shall be unlawful for any 
person to prevent or attempt to prevent any such entrance or in¬ 
spection, or to obstruct or interfere with any such officer while en¬ 
gaged therein. 


194 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


SECTION 14. Whenever the Inspector shall find any building 
or premises that are being kept, maintained or occupied in an in¬ 
sanitary condition, or in which plumbing is being installed in viola¬ 
tion of, or not in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance, 
it shall be the duty of the Inspector, and he is hereby authorized, 
empowered and directed to notify the owner, agent or occupant 
thereof to cause said premises to be made to conform to the pro¬ 
visions of this ordinance, which notification shall be in writing 
and shall be served either on the owner, agent or occupant of such 
premises, or, in case the premises are unoccupied, may be posted 
on the premises, and it shall be unlawful for any person so notified 
to fail, neglect or refuse to comply with such notice. 

DEFINITIONS. 

SECTION 15. For the purpose of this ordinance the term 11 dwell¬ 
ing house” shall be held to mean and include any house, used by 
one or more persons for housekeeping, consisting of one or more 
rooms, having sleeping or cooking accommodations in connection. 

The terms 11 apartment, ” 11 tenement, ’ ’ and 11 flat, ’ ’ shall be 
held to mean any suites or combinations of rooms consisting of 
two or more rooms used for housekeeping purposes, having cook¬ 
ing and sleeping accommodations in connection with each; wherever 
two or more such suites or combinations are located in one build¬ 
ing, whether all are located on one floor or separate floors. 


WATER CLOSETS; NUMBER REQUIRED. 

SECTION 16. Every factory, workshop, school, dwelling 
house, apartment, store, or other place where any person is per¬ 
manently employed, or where people congregate daily, must be 
provided with suitable water closet accommodations. Factories, 
workshops and stores shall have one water closet for each twenty 
persons, or fraction thereof, of each sex. School houses shall have 
one water closet for each twenty-four persons or fractions thereof 
of each sex. Water closets for stores must be located in an ac¬ 
cessible and convenient place on the premises on which the store 
is located. Hotels, lodging and rooming houses shall have two 
waterclosets for every twenty-five rooms or fraction thereof; pro¬ 
vided, however, that if there be more than twenty-five rooms, one 
water closet must be provided for every additional twelve , rooms 
or fraction thereof. Water closets for the different sexes must 
be entirely separate. 

Bunk houses, dormitories, and all large unpartitioned rooms 
used for sleeping purposes must have one water closet for every 
twenty-five single beds or their equivalent or fraction thereof; 
each dwelling house, apartment, tenement or flat must have at least 
one water closet and one sink for each family living in such dwell¬ 
ing house, apartment, tenement or flat; provided, however, that if 
more than ten persons live in any such apartment, tenement or 
flat, there shall be one additional water closet for each ten addi¬ 
tional persons or fraction thereof. Water closets for apartments, 
tenements or flats must be located on the same floor as the re¬ 
spective apartment, tenement or flat they serve. 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


195 


It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in improving any 
street or alley by grading, paving, laying conduits, gas mains, 
water mains, or railways, or erecting buildings on either public or 
private property, to not provide suitable temporary water closet 
accommodations, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Health, 
for the men employed by the contractor or person in charge of 
the work. 


VENTILATION OF TOILET ROOMS. 

SECTION 17. General water closet accommodations for tene¬ 
ment or lodging houses shall not be permitted in cellars or base¬ 
ments or under sidewalks. All rooms in which water closets or 
urinals are installed must be open to the outer air by means of a 
window, or ventilated light shaft; provided, however, where water 
closets or urinals are placed in stories, one or more of which is be¬ 
low the ground level, or in interior rooms, a vent duct of sheet 
metal and artificial light may be employed instead. Windows for 
rooms in which water closets or urinals are installed shall not be 
less than one foot in width and shall have an area of not less than 
one-twentieth of the total floor space of the room in which said 
fixtures are installed; provided, however, that in no case shall 
windows have an area of less than 432 square inches. 

Light shafts used for the ventilation of toilet and urinal 
rooms shall have an area not less than one-twentieth of the com¬ 
bined area of the floor space of all such rooms opening therein. 

Light shafts used for the ventilation of toilet rooms having 
skylight over, shall be ventilated by louvers, the total area of such 
louver opening shall be not less than the total area of said light 
shafts. Light shafts used for ventilating and lighting toilet 
rooms having more than three of their sides enclosed must have no 
connection with, or opening into rooms used for any other pur¬ 
pose. Rooms in which urinals or water closets are located shall be 
separated from all other rooms and hallways by substantial 
partitions extending to the ceiling; there shall be no opening or 
transom from adjoining rooms or hallways except door provided 
for entrance to same; provided, however, nothing in this ordi¬ 
nance shall prevent the use of stationary windows for lighting 
purposes in said partition. Doors for toilet rooms shall be pro¬ 
vided with self-closing arrangements to keep same closed at all 
times when not in use. Vent ducts for rooms where water closets 
and urinals are located shall have an area equal to one-half of 
the square inch to every square foot of floor space of the room 
in which fixtures are located; - provided, however, there shall not 
be allowed any vent duct less than 32 square inches in cross sec¬ 
tional area. Vent ducts from toilet rooms must be run separate to 
the outer air or to the roof, each room having a separate duct 
which in no case shall have any connection with, or opening into 
any other room except that several ducts may be connected into 
one ventilator at roof, such ventilator to be of an area equal to 
the combined area of all ducts connected thereto. Plans showing 
methods of ventilating all rooms and compartments of the build¬ 
ing and location and kind of plumbing fixtures to be established, 
must be filed at the office of the Department of Health and San¬ 
itation, before a permit is issued for the installation of any plumb¬ 
ing or drainage. 


196 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


Mechanical ventilating systems, when installed for the ven¬ 
tilation of toilets, bath rooms and sleeping rooms, and when such 
appliances are connected and being operated at their normal ca¬ 
pacities, shall be tested by the contractor or owner for volumetric 
efficiency in the presence and under the direction of the Com¬ 
missioner of Health or his duly qualified assistants. The archi¬ 
tects, or the person in possession or control of the same, shall notify 
the Commissioner of Health in writing when the said system is 
complete and ready for testing and inspection. 

FIXTURES MUST HAVE WATER SUPPLY. 

*SECTION 18. Plumbing fixtures must never be connected to 
sewer, cesspool or septic tank unless a good and sufficient supply 
of water is furnished to thoroughly flush them at all times. 

Water closets shall be supplied with water from a tank which 
is used for no other purpose. Each closet may be supplied from 
separate tanks or one general tank may be used for a number of 
closets. Tanks shall be arranged with float valves and be of 
sufficient size to deliver at least four gallons of water at each 
Hushing. There shall be no direct connection between water closet 
bowls and house supply pipes. Flush pipes between water closets 
and tank shall not be less than 1 % inches in dameter. 


CESSPOOL AND SEPTIC TANKS. 

SECTION 19. Soil and waste pipes from fixtures in houses 
where city sewer is not within 300 feet shall be carried to properly 
constructed cesspool or septic tank, such cesspool or tank to be 
constructed so as to meet the approval of the Commissioner of 
Health of the City of Seattle. Abandoned wells may be used as 
cesspools in localities where well water is not used for potable 
purposes, provided such abandoned wells be not located within a 
radius of 1,000 feet from any well, the water of which is used for 
potable purposes; provided, however, that no cesspool or abandoned 
well used for such purpose be located within 15 feet from any 
building. In case an abandoned well is to be used as a cesspool 
the owner of the property shall first obtain a pemit from the 
Commissioner of Health to use such well for such purpose. 

DRY CLOSETS. 

SECTION 20. Privy sinks, pan or plug closets, iron hoppers, 
range or trough closets, or any closet having any mechanism in 
connection with the bowl forming a mechanical seal, are prohibited. 
Dry closets and vault closets will not be permitted where city 
water and sewers are within 300 feet, and all such dry or vault 
closets are hereby declared a nuisance. Water closets having trap 
set beneath the floor will be permitted only in outhouses. 


♦The provisions of section 18 as to flush tanks for water 
closets has twice been made the subject of appeal to the Board of 
Appeals. See proceedings of the Board of May 3, 1911, in the case 
of Crane Co., appellants, and of June 21, 1912, J. S. Cote, appellant. 
These proceedings are on file and open to inspection at the office 
of the Superintendent of Buildings. 



PLUMBING ODRINANCES 197 

TOILET PAPER 

SECTION 21. No paper other than what is commonly known 
as tilet paper shall be placed in any water closet or in any soil 
pipe. 


CONDITIONS NOT COVERED BY THIS ORDINANCE. 

SECTION 22. Where special fixtures are required, for which 
there is no provision in this ordinance, or when conditions arise 
that demand a deviation therefrom, the Inspector may, after an 
examination of the premises, permit such deviation from the pro¬ 
visions of this ordinance as in his judgment the condition de¬ 
mands, and must in such case issue a special permit in writing 
therefor, which shall fully describe the deviation permitted, which 
permit shall be posted on the premises. 


SOIL AND WASTE PIPING. 

SECTION 23. The term “main soil pipe” shall be held to 
to mean and include the iron soil pipe receiving the discharge from 
water closets connecting to the sewer, cesspool or septic tank, 2% 
feet outside of the building.and extending in the most direct course 
to and through the roof. The term “waste pipe” shall be held to 
mean and include any pipe receiving the discharge from any fixture 
other than water closets. The term ‘ 1 main waste pipe ’ ’ shall be 
held to mean the waste pipe connecting to the sewer, cesspool or 
septic tank 2% feet outside of building and extending in the most 
direct course to and through the roof. The terms “branch soil” 
and “branch waste pipe” shall be held to mean and include any 
branch pipe connecting to the main line and extending either 
vertically or horizontally from same. For the purpose of this 
ordinance the term 11 vent pipe ’ ’ shall be held to mean and include 
any pipe connected to any trap, soil or waste pipe for the purpose 
of preventing siphonage, relieving back pressure and preventing 
the fouling of traps seals by condensation of sewer air, and also 
for the purpose of creating a circulation of air through the soil 
and waste pipes. The terms “vented” and “ventilation” when 
used in reference to or in connection with traps, soil or waste pipes, 
will he held to mean and refer to such vent pipes as above men¬ 
tioned. 

SECTION 24. In all dwelling houses and all other buildings 
of two stories or less, the vertical main, soil and waste pipe shall 
be carried full size to a height of at least 10 inches above the 
main roof, except in the case of flat roofs, used for drying pur¬ 
poses, and in such cases they shall extend 7 feet above the roof 
and be suitably braced. In other dwellings, buildings three stories 
or more in height, the vertical main, soil or waste pipe must be 
carried up full size through and 10" above the main roof or may 
be carried to a point of convergence at either of the floors where 
branch soil and waste pipes may be carried to different points to 
receive the discharge from groups of fixtures; .each of these 
branch soil or waste pipes becoming a main line from point of con¬ 
verging and must extend full size through and 10" or more above 
the roof. The size of these branches must be regulated according 
to the number and kind of fixtures discharging therein, as pro- 


198 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


vided elsewhere in this ordinance, and in no case shall these 1 
branches be less than 2" in internal diameter. The main hori¬ 
zontal soil pipe where entering the building and from a point 2 *4' 
outside the foundation wall must be of sufficient size to receive the 
discharge of all fixtures connected thereto, according to the terms 
of this ordinance, and may be reduced in size in proportion to the 
various branch lines leading therefrom. When fixtures are placed 
in lean-to additions or any addition where the roof' is lower than 
that of the main building, the vent pipe or soil pipe must never 
terminate within 15' of any opening of the house in which fixtures 
are located, or any adjoining house, unless such soil or vent pipe 
carried up at least 3' above such opening; but in no case shall pipes 
be extended more than 5' above the roof of a lean-to or addition to 
accomplish this purpose. When a water closet is installed in a 
lean-to or addition, and it is impossible to keep the termination 
of soil and vent pipes 15' away or 3' above openings, the main soil 
or waste pipe must be carried up the body of the main building and 
10" above the roof and 3' above all openings; and branch soil or 
waste pipe shall be carried from main line to receive the dis¬ 
charge from fixtures; provided, however, if there be "fixtures in the 
main building from which the main vertical soil pipe extends full 
size through the roof. The fixtures located in lean-to or addition,, 
provided said fixtures connect the main line or soil pipe, need not 
have their main line extended full size above the roof, but all 
traps must be back vented, and all such vent pipes carried up clear 
of all openings according to the terms of this ordinance. All branch 
soil or waste pipe extensions 15' or more vertically from the main 
line or any branch line, to receive the discharge of fixtures, must 
extend full size through the roof. All sewer, soil and wate pipes 
must be run as direct as possible; changes in direction of soil and 
waste pipe shall be made by “Y” branches or y 8 bends. No. % 
bends shall be used except by consent of the Inspector. 

SECTION 25. All cast iron soil or waste pipe must be of 
the grade known as “ extra heavy,” dipped in coal tar pitch while 
hot, so as to form a good, hard, uniform coating. All fittings used 
in connection with the same must correspond to pipe in quality and 
coating. All screw joint soil or waste pipe must be either wrought 
iron or mild steel of the grade known as 11 standard.” All fittings 
used in connection with wrought iron and steel soil and waste 
pipe must be the regular recessed drainage fittings. All wrought 
iron and steel soil and waste pipe and all fittings and nipples used 
in connection with the same must be thoroughly galvanized inside 
and out. The ends of all wrought iron and steel pipe and all 
nipples must be reamed to remove any burr that may be caused 
by cutting, So as to leave a smooth, full sized interior opening 
before screwing home. All threads on wrought iron or steel 
pipes and nipples must be cut so as to screw entirely to the 
shoulder of the fitting. The extra heavy cast iron pipe and wrought 
iron or steel pipe in the main line must be extended full weight 
and quality to a point 1' above the water line of the highest 
fixtures. The threads for recessed fittings must be tapped so as to 
give a uniform fall to branches of %" per lineal foot from fix¬ 
tures toward main soil or waste pipe. All nipples, the unthreaded 
part of which is less than 1 %" long, shall be extra heavy pipe. 
All hubs, pipes and fittings must be sound and free from defects 
such as cracks, flaws and sand holes, or any defects that might 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


199 


weaken them, and it shall be unlawful for any person to install 
any such defective material that does not conform to this ordi¬ 
nance and to all parts of it, or to conceal or attempt to conceal 
any such defects by means of cement, paint, putty or tar, or any 
ether substance whatever, or to refuse or fail to remove defective 
material upon the order of the Inspector. 

All soil, waste and vent pipes shall be substantially braced, 
supported and fastened. Horizontal runs of iron soil, waste and 
vent pipe, when in filled or made ground, shall be supported by 
thoroughly tamping the bottom of the ditch, or by piers of either 
brick or concrete at every 6' of their length; and the foot of each 
vertical stack of iron soil, waste a.nd vent, when rising from the 
ground, shall, be supported on brick or concrete piers. Horizontal 
runs of iron soil, waste and vent pipes above ground shall be sup¬ 
ported on brick or concrete piers, hung to joists or fastened to 
walls, with substantial iron straps or hangers at every 6' of their 
length; and at the foot of vertical lines rising from such horizontal 
runs. 

All vertical stacks of iron soil, waste and vent pipes shall be 
supported at each floor and ceiling joist. Vertical lines of iron 
soil, waste and vent pipes in buildings three stories or more in 
height, shall have substantial iron supports at each floor and 
veiling joist. Horizontal runs of lead soil, waste and vent pipe 
shall be supported their entire length on wooden strips or boards. 
Vertical lines of lead soil, waste and vent pipes shall have lead 
tacks, or substantial lead strips soldered to such pipe at every 
2' of their entire length and fastened to wooden supports with 
nails or screws. 

(See Table A for required weight of cast iron soil and waste 
pipe.) 

(See Table B for required weight of wrought iron or steel 
soil and waste pipe. Deviations therefrom shall not exceed 5 per 
■cent.) 

All lead waste pipe of 2" and less in internal diameter must 
be of the grade known as “D” pipe and of the weight per lineal 
foot shown in Table C. (Page 213). 

All joints in cast iron pipes shall be caulked joints made 
with oakum, well tamped, and pure lead well caulked, and no 
paint, varnish, putty or cement of any kind shall be put on caulked 
joints until tested and inspected as per Section 6 hereof. Con¬ 
nections between lead pipes and cast iron must be made by means 
of brass ferrules of the size and weights shown in Table D. (Page 
213). 

Connections between lead pipe and wrought iron or mild steel 
pipe shall be made by heavy, brass soldering nipples, as nearly as 
possible the full size of the lead pipe, but in no case shall such 
nipples reduce the size of such pipe exceeding 

All joints in lead pipe shall be wiped joints. All joints be¬ 
tween lead pipe and brass ferrules, soldering nipples, and solder¬ 
ing unions, shall be wiped joints. All wiped joints must be made 
in a workmanlike manner. Trap screws in lead traps shall be in¬ 
serted by means of wiped joints. No union or wiped flange joints 
shall be allowed in connections or waste or vent pipes that are to 
be concealed. 

All bends and off-sets in lead pipe must be made so as to 
leave full sized openings, and care must be taken not to materially 


200 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


weaken any portion of the pipe in bending. All lead bends and 
traps must be of the same size and weight as the lead pipe to which 
they connect. 

SECTION 26. Direct or converging soil pipes shall be in¬ 
creased in size as follows: When carrying not more than 20 water 
closets, or their equivalent, 4" in diameter, and shall be increased 
1" in diameter for each additional 75 water closets, or fraction 
thereof; provided, however, that 3" vertical soil stacks of cast iron,, 
galvanized steel or wrought iron pipe may be used in dwelling 
houses of two stories or less wherein are situated not more than one 
water closet, one bath, one lavatory, one sink and one set of 
laundry trays; provided, however, that such 3" stack is not more 
than 35' in height. Horizontal runs to which such 3" vertical stack 
connects, must be 4" in diameter. Eor the purpose of this ordi¬ 
nance in estimating the size of soil 1 and waste pipe, the equivalent 
of water closets will be estimated in accordance, with Table E. 
(Page 213). 

Waste pipes receiving the discharge from fixtures shall be of 
the size shown in Table F. 

TRAP VENTING. 

SECTION 27. Every trap shall be effectually vented. Two 
inch or less sized 11 P ’ ’ or half-'' S ’ , shall be vented not more than 
18" from water line of seal, provided point of connection of vent 
and waste pipe be not below said water line. 

“S” traps, and traps shall be vented not more than 

4" from line of water seal; vents from pot traps shall be made of 
the same size as the waste pipe leading from the same. 

SECTION 28. When “P” traps are used on sinks, wash 
basins, wash tubs and other fixtures having 2" or less sized traps, 
also pot or drum traps having horizontal waste pipe, they may be 
vented by the loop or continuous vent system, provided each trap 
be connected to a vertical line the same size as the trap, said line 
acting as waste pipe below point of connection and vent pipe 
from point of connection upward; and in case of a pot trap the 
vertical line shall be the same size as waste pipe from pot trap, 
said vertical line must be carried up 1' above water line of fixture 
before connecting with other vents or with main loop line. Two 
“P M traps or two pot traps of either size may be connected to 
a single vertical line, said line acting as waste pipe below point of 
connection and vent pipe from point of connection upward, pro¬ 
viding said two traps connect to vertical line at same level, and 
provided the vertical line be one size larger pipe than traps con¬ 
nected thereto, and in case of pot traps the vertical line shall be 
one size larger than waste pipe leading from same, and providing 
further, that point of connection of trap and vertical line be not 
below water line of the traps and not more than 18" from said 
water line. Two 1 %" traps may be connected into one 2" vertical 
line. Two 1%" traps may be connected into one 1 %" vertical 
line. Two 2" traps may connect to on© 2%" vertical line. 

This system may be carried out indefinitely for groups of 
fixtures placed one above the other, by adhering to sizes and in¬ 
creasing the main vent pipe as per Table G; provided, however, 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


201 


that the diameter of the main vent pipe need not exceed the dia¬ 
meter of the main soil pipe; vent pipes for fixtures having traps 2" 
and less in diameter, whether single or in groups, shall be increased 
in proportion according to the number of fixtures in Table G. In 
estimating the size of vent pipes, whether all are the same kind 
of fixtures or a number of different kinds, the size of main vents 
will be estimated according to the size and number of traps they 
serve, as shown in Table G. (Page 213). 

When wrought iron or mild steel soil, waste or vent pipe is 
used, the number of fixtures may be varied to accommodate half 
sizes prorata to schedule hereinbefore given. 

Bends at the base of all vertical vent pipes exceeding 15' in 
length shall be made with 45° ells, or be connected to soil or waste 
pipe through a “Y” fitting. 

SECTION 29. Water closet traps and traps of slop sinks 
having vent horn attached to trap shall be vented from same, 
and if no vent horn be provided, vent shall be taken from soil or 
waste branch not more than 22' from the opening of floor line. In 
•case of single water closet connected to 4" soil pipe, and there 
being no other fixtures connected to said 4" soil pipe at point of 
connection, or at any point above said connection, and provided 
such connection be not more than 22", measured on center line 
of pipe, in length from 4" main soil or waste pipe to outlet at floor 
level, the usual back vent may be omitted. In case of a set of 
bath room fixtures connected to main 4" soil pipe where there are 
no fixtures connected to main soil pipe at higher point, if all other 
fixtures be connected to soil pipe by separate opening, the back 
vent of the closet may be omitted. 

SECTION 30. ..In buildings where groups or rows of fixtures 
such as water closets, slop -sinks and stall urinals, provided such 
urinals are the kind having traps below the floor, what is known 
as the “loop” or continuous venting may be employed, provided 
such fixtures be connected to top side of horizontal line and pro¬ 
vided said connection be not more than 22" measured on center 
line of pipe, in length from floor line to horizontal lines, said hori¬ 
zontal lines must be continued full size beyond fixture farthest 
from main vertical line and 1' above highes water line of fixtures 
before connecting with main vent. This loop vent may be con¬ 
nected with main stack V above water line of highest fixture or 
may be continued up separate through roof, provided, however, 
that not more than eight fixtures be placed in a group or row, 
unless a relief vent be attached to horizontal line after each eight 
fixtures, or, in case there be more than eight and less than 16 
fixtures in a row, the number shall be divided equally and the re¬ 
lief vent be attached to horizontal line at division. Said relief 
vent shall be as large as horizontal run, and must be carried up 
V above the water line of fixture before connecting with other 
vents. 

The main soil or waste pipe from a point V above the water 
line of the highest fixture, and all vent pipes, may be either stand¬ 
ard cast iron, galvanized, wrought iron or mild steel, lead or brass. 

Lead vent pipe must be of the same weight and quality as 
that specified in this ordinance for waste pipes; brass vent pipe 
shall be drawn brass of the same weight and quality as used for 
waste pipe. 


202 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


Change in direction of vent pipe may be made at an angle of 
either 45 degrees or 90 degrees, but all vent pipes must have a 
fall of at least 14" per foot toward the trap they serve. 

SECTION 31. Vents for water closet traps shall be not 
less than 2" in diameter. Vents for slop sinks and other fixtures 
having traps 2" and larger shall not be less than 2" in diameter. 

A 2" pipe not to exceed 35' in length may be used to ventilate 
the trap of a single water closet or slop sink, and must be in¬ 
creased %" in diameter for every succeeding 35' or fraction thereof, 
until it becomes the same size as the main soil pipe, and in all 
cases the vent pipe from trap must be carried up 1' above the water 
line of fixtures before combining with the vents of other fixtures. 

Main vent pipes must conform to the sizes, length and num¬ 
ber of fixtures as shown in Table H. 

SECTION 32. Every fixture, sanitary drinking fountain ex¬ 
cepted, shall be separately and effectively trapped. One trap shall 
be required for every four sanitary drinking fountains, or frac¬ 
tion thereof, if placed not more than 30" apart. The trap shall be 
set as near as practicable to the fixture it serves. In all cases 
where a building is used as a hotel, boarding house or restaurant, 
the owner or occupant shall install a properly constructed grease 
trap through which all slops of a greasy nature shall pass. Grea.se 
traps for hotel or restaurant sinks shall be at least one-fifth as 
large as the sinks they serve, and shall be constructed of cast metal 
provided with cooling jacket. All bath tubs shall have a pot 
trap with 4" body and 4" screw above the floor, for clean-out pur¬ 
poses; said screw to be attached, to body of trap by wiped joint. 

DRAINAGE. 

SECTION 33. All yards, cellars, areas and basements must 
be properly drained. The cellars or basements of all buildings 
other than residences, which are lower than the street or alley 
upon which the building abuts, must be drained by a connection 
equal in size to the main sewer connection, provided such main 
sewer connection be not more than 12" in diameter. The cellar or 
basement drains of residences must be not less than 2" in diameter. 
When cellar, basement or area drains are connected to sewer, 
they must be properly trapped, and traps ventilated according to 
size. The following size vents shall be applied to cellar or base¬ 
ment drain traps: 2 in., 3 in. and 4 in. traps, 2 in. vent; 6 in. and 
7 in. traps, 3 in. vent; 8 in. and 9 in. traps, 3% in. vent. All traps 
of larger size, 4 in. vent. 

All cellars and basement drains must, when connected to sew¬ 
er, cesspool or septic tank, be protected from back water by back 
water valves; said backwater valve must be provided with water 
and air tight clean-out cover placed immediately above valve > 
either screwed or bolted in place, capable of being removed for 
examination or repairs. 

All cellar, basement or area drain traps, where the natural 
flow of water is not continuous, must be supplied with water drip 
to assure a continuous seal in dry weather. 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


203 


The drain leading from cellars or basements of all buildings 
other than residences, must be protected by means of a raised 
strainer not less than 1'0" in height; said strainer must be bolted 
or screwed to outlet in such a manner as to be removed for clean¬ 
ing purposes, and must be sufficiently perforated to admit a full 
flow of water into sewer. 


CLEAN-OUTS. 

SECTION 34. There shall be clean-outs put in the vertical 
soil pipe at the “basement floor level, or at the ground level where 
there is no basement, and at the end of horizontal runs; clean-outs 
must be inserted in cast iron pipe with calked joint fittings with 
brass screw cover, or clean-out fitting with cover bolted in place. 
When clean-outs are put in vertical soil or waste pipe, they shall 
be put in so as to have their lower side 3" or more above the floor 
or ground level. Clean-outs, when inserted in wrought iron or 
mild steel pipe, shall be inserted with screw joint and covered with 
brass screw cover. 

Clean-outs located below basement floors must have manholes 
of brick, or concrete, with iron cover, and so constructed as to 
give free and easy access to the clean-out. The internal diameter 
of clean-out fittings, or trap screws for pot traps, shall not be less 
than smaller in internal diameter than the pipe they serve. 
All lead traps shall be provided with brass trap screws for clean¬ 
out purposes. Tapping holes in soil or waste pipe will not be per¬ 
mitted. When it becomes necessary to disconnect pipes for re¬ 
moval of stoppage, clean-outs must be inserted as hereinabove 
stated. 


RAINWATER LEADERS OR DOWNSPOUTS. 

SECTION 35. Rainwater leaders shall never be used as soil, 
waste or vent pipes, nor shall soil, waste or vent pipes be used as 
rainwater leaders. When rainwater leaders are connected to the 
house drain they shall be connected on the sewer side of all 
waste and vent connection, except when connected to main 
horizontal soil pipe in basement. When a rain water leader is 
within the building or in any air or light shaft within the outside 
walls of a building it shall be of cast iron or galvanized wrought 
iron or mild steel pipe. Such rainwater leaders, provided they do 
not terminate within 15' of, or below, any window or opening, 
need not be trapped. 

Outside sheet metal rainwater leaders, when connected to soil 
pipes within the building, shall be trapped, the trap to be vented 
the same as other fixtures, and in every case, where rainwater 
leaders open within 15' of any window, door or light shaft, they 
shall be trapped. Outside sheet metal rainwater leaders when 
connected to sewers must be trapped. Horizontal cast iron rain¬ 
water leaders within a building must be extra heavy cast iron to 
a point 3' above the ground. All buildings now or hereafter erected 
shall be kept provided with proper leaders for conducting water 
from the roof to the ground, and when required by the Commiss¬ 
ioner of Health, shall be connected with the sewer or street gutter. 
Connections between iron leaders and roof must be made with 
brass ferrules, or soldering nipples, wiped to lead pipe. 


204 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


WATER SERVICE. 

SECTION 36. Water service pipes must be so located that the 
supply for each separate house or premises shall be controlled by 
a separate stop and waste cock, with extension handle, properly 
protected from frosts, and so placed within the premises that all 
service pipe and fixtures may be thoroughly lrained during freez¬ 
ing weather. All pipes in the building, must be so arranged as to 
drain toward the stop and waste cock. All water pipes shall be 
either galvanized iron, lead or brass and protected from frost. Air 
chambers must be placed at the termination of all vertical lines of 
water pipe exceeding 6' in length, and at all sinks. 

Whenever any apparatus for heating water be connected direct 
to city mains, it shall be unlawful for any person to install in the 
service pipe between such heating apparatus and the city main, 
any check valve or any device which will check the back pressure 
from heating apparatus toward the city main, unless a relief valve 
be placed on such heating apparatus to the satisfaction of and sub¬ 
ject to the approval of the Inspector; and it shall be unlawful for 
the owner, agent or occupant of any premises owned or controlled 
by him to maitain or allow to be maintained in any building on 
such premises, any such water heating apparatus unless all the con¬ 
ditions herein stated be complied with. It shall be the duty of the 
Superintendent of Water, or his duly appointed agent, to notify 
the Department of Health and Sanitation in writing, whenever 
they shall install any such check valve, or device, or any service 
pipe for the protection of the city meters. 


REFRIGERATOR WASTE. 

SECTION 37. In no case shall the waste pipe from a re¬ 
frigerator, or other receptacle where food is kept, be connected 
direct to the sewer, soil or waste pipe, but must empty into an 
open tray or sink; said tray or sink must be properly trapped and 
vented as other fixtures. 

OPEN PLUMBING. 

SECTION 38. Water closet bowls, bath tubs, wash bowls, 
sinks or slop sinks must be clsoed in wooden casings. Wooden 
sinks, wash trays or bath tubs will not be permitted in any build¬ 
ing, and all such are hereby declared a nuisance; provided, how¬ 
ever, that wooden sinks or vats may be used by engravers and 
photographers in their work, where strong acids are used, by spe¬ 
cial permit from the Inspector. 


URINALS FOR PUBLIC USE. 

SECTION 39. When urinals are placed in any public building 
the floors must be covered with either marble, slate, or extra heavy 
glass or glazed tiling, or may be constructed of a body of good 
concrete floated with not less than 1 %" coat of 1-to-l cement fac¬ 
ing, to the satisfaction of the Inspector. 

When urinals are constructed to drain from trough to floor 
the waste pipe shall be at least 2", with 2" trap. Urinals must be 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


205 


supplied with water so as to thoroughly flush all parts/ and no 
galvanized iron or other sheet metal urinal troughs will be allowed. 


GAS PIPING 

SECTION 40. In all systems of gas piping hereafter con¬ 
structed, or reconstructed, the size of pipes shall be not less, and the 
the length of pipes shall be no greater in respect to the number of 
burners than specified in Table 1. 

Except in the case of fuel lines run for gas ranges in which 
the consumption of gas for each range must be computed as an 
equivalent to eight openings or burners. 

No %” pipe shall be used, unless exposed for a short run only,, 
and not more than one burner. No gas service pipe shall be less 
than 1" in diameter. 

SECTION 41. All gas pipes must be of the best quality of 
wrought iron; all fittings must be of the best quality of malleable 
or cast iron, or mild steel; all pip^s must be suitably supported and 
stayed with pipe hooks, straps or screws. All pipes must have a 
straight drainage toward the opening. Split pipes and fittings are 
prohibited and must be removed. Pipes must be free from traps 
and no automatic drips wil be allowed. No cement shall be used 
in any pipes or fittings for the purpose of repairing or concealing; 
defects. Pipes shall not be painted or covered before inspection 
is made. All drops or openings for wall brackets must be made 
with bends or long drop ells, and shall be well fastened with pipe 
hooks or straps. No brackets made with elbows, or tees and 
nipples will be allowed. When drops or openings are not in close 
proximity to the studding or joist, a notched wooden cross piece 
must be securely fastened to secure the same. The rise pipe or 
main outlet from the meter must not be less than %" to the first 
tier of joinsts. In all cases the lower end of gas riser shall be left 
so as to be readily accessible. No union fittings shall be used on 
concealed piping. 

SECTION 42. No extension or alteration of any existiing sys¬ 
tem of gas piping in any building shall be made without the in¬ 
spection and approval of the Inspector. Gas companies shall run 
all pipes between their mains and the meters, except in buildings 
where the meters are to be located in meter rooms above the first 
floor, in which case the company shall run the pipes to the per¬ 
pendicular rise in basement only. 

SECTION 43. Upon the completion of any system of gas 
piping, and before the floors are laid, or the pipes and fittings are 
concealed, the gas fitter or other persons doing the work shall file 
in the office of the Inspector an application for inspection of such 
system of gas piping, and thereupon the Inspector shall, within 
three working days, cause the same to be inspected and tested with 
a pressure of not less than 6" upon a mercury gauge. The gauge 
and air pump for testing to be furnished by the gas fitter or 
other persons doing the work. If the testing and inspection be 
satisfactory to the Inspector, a certificate of approval shall be 
issued by him. No meters shall be attached to any system of gas 
pipes previous to the issuing of such certificate. 


206 


PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


SECTION 44. All branch or outlet pipes shall be taken from 
the side or tops of running lines; never directly from below. 

SECTION 45. All gas cocks on the house side of meter shall 
be provided with suitable check or stop on key plainly indicating 
whether closed or open. 

STEAM AND HOT WATER HEATING. 

SECTION 46. No steam exhause or blow-off, or any heated 
water shall be discharged into a sewer until the temperature 
thereof shall have been reduced to at least 100 degrees Fahren¬ 
heit. 

SECTION 47. No safety valve, stop valve, or other obstruction 
shall be placed in the expansion or on the expansion tank of any hot 
water apparatus, and no device shall be used to increase the press¬ 
ure of any hot water heating apparatus other than the static head 
of water contained therein, unless such device meets with the ap¬ 
proval of the Inspector. 

SECTION 48. No pipes, or other heated metal in connection 
with any steam apparatus shall be placed in contact with any com¬ 
bustible material, either at rest or when its position is changed by 
expansion or contraction, and where steam heated metal shall be 
placed within 1" of combustible material the heated metal shall be 
insulated. 

SECTION 49. A fitting shall be provided in sewer for taking 
water from condensation. 

PENAL CLAUSE. 

SECTION 50. Any person violating or failing to comply with 
any of the provisions ofthis ordinance, shall be deemed guilty of a 
misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined in any sum not 
exceeding $100, or imprisoned in the city jail for a term not ex¬ 
ceeding 30 days, or may be both fined and imprisoned. 

SECTION 51. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in 
conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be, and the same are 
hereby repealed. (Section 1098 of Ordinance 31578 is of later date 
and qualifies this section.) 


APPENDIX 


WEIGHT OF VARIOUS MATERIALS 
AND STRUCTURAL PARTS 

As Used by the Seattle Building 
Department in Computing Loads 


Brick, Pressed . 

. 150* 

lbs. 

per 

cn. ft. 

Brick, Pressed, laid, thin -joints . 

. 140 

C l 

(( 

(( : 

(( 

Brick, Common . 

. 125 

C ( 

i i 

(t 

(t 

Brick, Common, laid %" ioints . 

. 120 

c c 

(( 

( c 

{( 

Brick, Soft, laid %" joints . 

. 100 

(l 

. it t 

(( 

(t 

Cinders, dry, bituminous, in bulk . 

. 45 

c c 

11 

(i 

< i 

Coal, bituminous, loose . 

. 49 

i i 

11 

(i 

(t 

Concrete— 

Cinder, structural . 

.. 110 

c c 

(c 

(( 

11 

Cinder, fireproofing . 

. 85 

i c 

( c 

l ( 

C ( 

Stone or gravel . 

...150 

c c 

11 

(l 

t e 

Cyclopean . 

.. 155 

l i 

(l 

11 

i ( 

Slag (blast furnace) ... 

. 130 

(C 

i { 

l ( 

11 

Slag (garbage incinerator) . 

.95 to 105 

i l 

(( 

(( 

(( 

Cast iron . 

. 450 

c c 

( c 

l ( 

(i 

Earth— 

Common loam, dry and loose ......... 

... 76 

i c 

a 

(( 

(( 

Clay and gravel, dry and loose . 

.. 100 

C i 

(i 

C l 

i c 

Common earth, dry and packed . 

. 100 

~ c c 

(( 

(l 

C ( 

Wet mud . 

. 120 : 

c c 

, 1 1 

c t 

(( 

Glass . 

. 157 

( c 

C 1 

11 

(( 

Grain (at 60 lbs. per bushel) . 

.. 48 

c c 

(i . 

(t 

(( 

Granite . 

. 170 

t c - 

11 

i ( 

(( 

Gravel, dry . 

. 120 

C ( 

(i 

(( 

<( 

Granite Masonry, dressed . 

. 165 

( c 

(( 

( < 

(t 

Granite Masonry, rubble . 

. 155 

C i 

i ( 

(( 

< c 

Ice ... 

.. 58.7 

c c 

( ( 

l ( 

(l 

Limestone Masonry, dressed . 

. 162 

t i 

l l 

l ( 

l ( 

Marble Masonry, dressed . 

. 170 

i i 

( C 

(l 

(< 

Mortar, hard, cement .... 

. 135 

(l 

C l 

C ( 

(( 

Mortar, hard, lime . 

. 105 

i i 

< l 

(( 

l ( 

Partitions — 

2"x4"studs, wood lath, %" plaster, both 
sides .-.- 16 

lbs. 

per 

sq. 

ft. 

2"x4" studs, plaster board, %" 
both sides . 

plaster 
. 16 

( c 

t ( 

(c 

C ( 

Channel studs, metal lath, cement plaster, 
solid 2" thick . 20 

( c 

i ( 

(( 

(( 



































208 


APPENDIX 


Weights of Various Materials, Etc.—Continued 


Partitions—Continued. 


Plaster on plaster block (one side . 

... 5 

lbs. 

per 

sq. 

ft. 

2" Terra Cotta Tile . 

.. 13 

(1 

(( 

(( 

(( 

gw i ( (i ii 

.. 16 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

4" a n (( 

is 

(( 

y ( 

(( 

(( 

gw (( (( (( 

... 20 

(( 

(( 

(( 

1 ( 

gW ( ( ( ( ( ( ■ 

25 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

g W ( ( ( ( ( ( 

.. 30 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

12" 11 11 11 

.. 45 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

Plaster on T. C. partitions (one side) ... 

.. 5 

(1 

(( 

(( 

(( 

2" Plaster Blocks . 

.. 7 

(1 

(( 

(( 

(( 

2i/ 2 " “ “ .. 

.. 8.5 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

gw << < ( 

.. 9.5 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

3 y 2 " “ “ .- 

.. 10.5 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

( ( ( ( 

.. 12 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

5" 11 11 

.. 15 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

gW ( ( ( ( 

.. 18 

(( 

(( 

(( 

(( 

g w ( ( ( ( 

.. 22 

a 

(( 

(( 

(( 

Ceilings — 

Wood latk and plaster . 

.. 8 

c c 

(( 

(( 

(( 

Metal lath and plaster suspended . 

.. 10 

i c 

(( 

(( 

(( 

Roofings — 

Wood shingles . 

.. 3 

c c 

i ( 

4 4 

4 4 

Slate 3/16" . 

.. 7 

i i 

l i 

4 4 

4 4 

Slate . 

.. 10 

i L 

i C 

4 4 

4 4 

Tile and clay shingles .11 

to 14 

i c 

i C 

4 4 

4 4 

Roman tile, clay . 

.. 12 

(( 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Spanish tile, clay ... 

.. 19 

C i 

C C 

4 4 

4 4 

Ludowici tile, Spanish .. 

.. 10 

C ( 

i C 

4 4 

4 4 

Tile roof laid in mortar, add .. 

Copper (if no weight is specified) .. 

.. 10 

c c 

C C 

4 4 

4 4 

1% 

i i 

l c 

4 4 

4 4 

Tin . 

.. 1 

L i 

C ( 

4 4 

4 4 

Corrugated iron . 

.. 2 

t C 

i t 

4 4 

4 4 

Tar and gravel .. 

.. 6 

( c 

l ( 

4 4 

4 4 

Prepared composition . 

.. 1 

i c 

4 i 

4 4 

4 4 

Sand, dry . 

. 100 

< c 

( ( 

cu. 

4 4 

Sand, wet .-. 

.. 120 

t i 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Skylights, metal covered, wire glass . 

. 5 

C ( 

4 4 

sq. 

4 4 

Steel . 

. 490 

( c 

4 4 

cu. 

4 4 

Terra Cotta, large blocks . 

.. 70 

C ( 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Terra Cotta, filled with brickwork .. 

.. 120 

i c 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Terra Cotta, Dennison interlocking tile, laid 

6 

i c 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

' I ' t m rv r\ -*»■ 

Fir, dry . 

.. 32' 

< c 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Fir, wet . 

. 44 

i i 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Oak ... .. 

.. 46 

c c 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Water, fresh at 60 deg. Fahr . 

.. 62V> 

c l 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Water, sea . 

.. 64 

c c 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 














































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MAP or-* 
BUILDING DI5TRICT5 * ; 
CITY QT SEATTLE. I 

1 5T. D I5TRICT SHOWN: Hi 

RND DISTRICT SHOWN*. M 

Permitted: fireproof buildings- . 1 

rlilfbaildiBjs up to Six Stories 
Ordinary ITasopry Dldg* j Story 
Two Story Hasonrjr buildings. 


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Permitted* fireproof buildings 

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One Story frame business & lag*. 
Two Story frame. Dwellings. 

4TH DISTRICT SHOWN: tZZD 
Permitted Any Type of baildmg- 



209 














































































































210 


APPENDIX 


The Owner 9 s Liability to the State 
for Insurance 

Section 17 of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, which re¬ 
lates to public and contract work, reads in part as follows: 

“In private work the contractor shall b responsible 
primarily and directly, to the accident fund for the 
proper percentage of the total payroll of the work and the 
owner of the property affected by the contract shall be 
surety for such payments.” 

In private work the contractor is required to pay direct to the 
Commission, the required percentage of his payroll. The owner 
being surety for the payments. Full rates are charged for the 
year or until such a time as the adjustment for the year can be 
determined. If the contractor has overpaid, the excess payments 
will apply on his subsequent payments or if he permanently dis¬ 
continues business in the State of Washington, cash refund will be 
made. The average rate assessed for the first two years’ opera¬ 
tion of the law was 65 per cent, of the basic rates specified in the 
Act. 

Contractors are required to keep an accurate account of the 
amount paid out by them in wages, and all such records are to be 
always open to inspection of Commission’s Auditors (see Sec. 16, 
Workmen’s Compensation Act—Penalty for misrepresentation as to 
payroll). Amount paid for team hire should not be included in the 
extra hazardous payroll. 

If demand for premium due the fund is not paid within a rea¬ 
sonable length of time the contractor becomes in default to the 
accident fund—such period of default will be from the date prem¬ 
ium is due until paid. Should an accident occur to a workman 
during period of default he may elect to either, accept compensa¬ 
tion from the Commission or bring suit against his employer. 
Should he elect to bring suit the contractor is called upon to de¬ 
fend himself in court with all the old defenses such as ‘ ‘ assumption 
of risk,” “contributory negligence” and “fellow servant rule” 
abolished. The perilous position in which he is placed is readily 
discernible. The law is compulsory and it is for the mutual bene¬ 
fit of all contibutors to see that his competitor is paying into the 
fund so that all contractors are on the same basis when bidding; 
on a contract as well as reducing the rate to contributors. 


APPENDIX 


211 


Protection of Lien Right 

Persons, firms, and corporations furnishing material for use 
in the alteration, repair, or construction of buildings in the State 
of Washington, have a lien on such buildings for a period ending 
ninety days after having furnished the material, PROVIDED they 
have complied with that provision of the statute law respecting 
the service of warning notice on the owner. 

It is required by law that a lien claimant, if the lien be for 
material shall have, within five days of the first delivery of said 
material, mailed or delivered to the owner of the property, a notice 
in writing, to the effect that said claimant has commenced to de¬ 
liver such material, giving the name of the contractor or agent 
ordering the same, and warning the owner that a lien may be 
claimed. 

It is recommended that materialmen make an invariable 
practice of serving warning notice to owners, and the following 
form is submitted as suitable for that purpose: 


., 191 


To 


(Address; must give Stree and Number.) 

Pursuant to the provisions of the lien law of the State of 
Washington, and on that account only, (I or we) hereby notify 

you that upon orders from .-. or 

we) commenced .191. to deliver mater ‘ 

ials and supplies to be used in the (construction, alteration or 
repair) of premises located as follows (insert here correct legal 
■description of premises), of which said premises you are the owner 
or reputed owner. The purpose of this notice is to warn you that 
(I or we) will be entitled to and may claim a lien on the above 

described premises upon failure or neglect of said . 

.. to pay the same. 

Please govern yourself accordingly. 


(I or we) invariably ser-ve the above notice regardless of the 
v- 1 - +/hia notice does not, 


Tesponsibility of the parties involved, and tins 
therefore, necessarily imply lack of confidence. 
























212 


APPENDIX 


Substitute for Receipted Bills 

It is frequently required, as a precedent to final settlement 
with a contractor, that the contractor shall submit to he owner 
or his architect, receipted bills for all material and labor involved 
in the execution of a contract This is sometimes embarassing to 
the contractor, who may for good and sufficient reasons desire to 
keep the details of his business to himself; yet, it is not unreason¬ 
able on the part of the owner to demand evidence that the bills 
have been paid, this particularly in view of the fact that the 
right of lien in the State of Washington is not limited to the 
amount of the contract, as would be more equitable, and as is 
the case in some States. 

The following is submitted as a means of obviating the ne¬ 
cessity of exhibiting receipted bills, while at the same time fully 
protecting the owner by making the contractor criminally liable in 
case of misrepresentation: 


AFFIDAVIT. 

State of Washington, ) 

> ss. 

County of . ) 


..., being first duly sworn, on 

oath, says: that he is the identical ...under 

whose contract was (constructed, altered or repaired), (give lo¬ 
cation) for (give name of owner), under the direction and super¬ 
vision of (give name of architect); that all of the bills of every 
kind in connection with the said contract have been paid in full; 
that this affiant has been paid in full; that the contract has been 
in every manner completed, and nothing of any kind remains to be 
done in regard thereto. 

This affidavit is made for the benefit of the owner, the sureties 
on the bond of this affiant, and all others concerned. 


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 


day of 


191 


Notary Public in and for the State of Washington, 
residing at. 




















plumbing Ordinance tables 

»C 


A. 

WTqht^F^5tTron 


HEIGHT 0 /WROUGHT 1 R 0 NI 'Ve i'GMT EAD 


P 

Weigh °f brass 



"the Following numbers Fixtures Willbepeemed in each 

INSTANCE THE EQU1 VALENT °F ONE WATER. CLOSET- 


IJo 


Na.me 

Wa-sTz 




Hame 

Laundry Tr&.y*sT 


Pa-ntizy Sinks 

Vnnkiog Fouiota^tn-s 


>4- 


tirinab 




■SJota Sinks 


-4- 


Suotcs 

E>a-tb Tubs 


Slop Sink with zi'or larger v/aate 


Waste pipes ReclivinqT. 

n^TLJREg . 5MAtL££ .THE.. .fQ 


E l)l5CHARQE FROM 

VOy/iiiQ £>lg g £^>, 


b. 

Wash Z>asir> 3 /rZtnTrr 5 ink.&Drinhnq founds 




Ho 


% 


ze 


'a-r^e 


2l*e 

4 in. 

mn, 


iirr _ 

Wash Vasins .Pantry Sink q, DrinKing Founts 

Wosh Paain 5 ,Pantry 3 iBk 4 Dr?nKii 2 gTaar>t; 


Jn 

Wjol 


ZI or More 

to-2L 


BatbTab-» 

Wash Tab.5 not less fbah 

Wash Tabs no! - less Than - 


3fo£> 

7 fa >5 


2~fu 


■ to10 


Wash Tate wot less than 

Ur in a) - not less than - 


g 10. 


16t04O 


Wash Basins^Pantry Jinkg, TrinKina founts 

Wash Vds'ms.Vanty-y 5ink & Drinking Taunts 


2 > Jo 


11 oytlor-g 


2jfh 

mJPr 


41 to 80 


10 


Ur 

Ur 


_L.fejL 

3 TO JO 


Sinks 


1 ] fz In. 


2To4- 


rinala • not legs, tban~ 


ZJQ 

3 In 


Sinks 


zln. 


5to II 


Ur'lna.ls ■ not less than 

3 Jnb or Motj Urinals ■ not less than ~ 

.Slop SmkJi/z" Waste 0p9 not less 


IJ tozo 


S treks 


4. lr?. 


2torfo«3Ioks 


4 In 


lfoxT 


ETSHI 


I'/gln 


Slop Sink f Waste Ovs,. not less 


2 In 


3 ho 10 


Bath Tabs 


2 In 


gToa, 


Slop .Sink S’ Waste OE3, not t.q.sjT 

3hr> Si ok4" Waste Ogg nor )e5S 


a la 


ntoz.o 


Bath-Tcibs 


3 Id 


4 In 






Size 

Ho 

Name 

siiaj 

1 To 3. 

Baslns.HmtrySiolcs or Prinking founts 

lifcln. 

3 to 10 

Bath Tabs 

2l0 

St»6 

Ba si os.Rjotrv Sinks or Drinking Thants 

'^>n. 

11 to 20 

bat i Tabs 

2 In 

7 to 15 

Basl ns.Rjntry Sink.* or Drink/no founts 

2 In. 

21 °r Hole 

Bath Tabs 

a in. 

teto4o 

Buslns.Puntrr Sinks or Dr/nk(n<j founts 

3 In. 

1 to 3 

Wash Tabs 


4it»8o 

Basins.RintryOinks orDrmkrir^ founts 

4 In 

4 to 10 

Wash Tabs 

2-Jo 

l to z. 

Sinks 

I'/ilo 

11 6r Morf 

Wash Tabs 

ajnj 

3 to 10 

Si r7ks> 

2 In 

1 

Urina 1 

iVzln 

11 to 20 

Sinks 

3 In. 

Z to 4. 

Urinals 

^Ja 

Z1®rtW 

Sinks 

4 In 

5 to H 

ur’wals 

3 In. 

1 to z. 

Bath Tabs 

JVzlo. 

iZorMore 

Urinals- 

AJb 


MAIN VENTS MU5T CONFORM T°THE EOLLOWJNQ Sizes ,LENQ-Tf|3 ANE> 

HQMt>EP.°»,i; | X-njBEO °» THE1B. 


Greatest Length to Point of 

Increase incize 


ZgmaliL 


5ize of 


2 Inches 


2 f /2<PCHe5 


3 Inches 


3 1 /? Inches 

4 inches 


Greatest Length to Point of 

Increase incize 


20 Feet long 


35 feet Long 

35 Feet Long 


3.5 Feet Long 


35 feat Lpn^ 


No«{WC 

or E<fuivM 


3 W. C 


Size of 

VenF 

Inches 


a WO 


5 Inches 


17 W.C- 


25 WC 


5'/z Inches 

6 Inches 


40 WC- 


35 Feet Long 


35 Fget Low 4 


35feet Long 


35 feet Long 


55 WC.. 


raWc 


90 W;C- 

120 W.c. 


SIZE AND LENqTH ^qAO PIPE IN REOPECT To THE NUMBER ° F BURNER'S 



213 












































































































































































































Strength of Douglas Hr Beams 

According to the Building Coot 

Seattle Wash 


'Safe loads uniformly distributed 


for beams one inch wide 


Depth 

sSpan in feet 


6 

6 

IO 

tz 

!4 

16 

16 

ZO 

zz 

24 

26 

28 

4 

420 

3/0 

250 










6 

980 

730 

590 

490 

420 








S 

/600 

/330 

f070 

890 

760 

670 







to 


2000 

1690 

J4/0 

/2IO 

/060 

940 

850 





JZ 



2400 

2050 

/750 

/530 

1360 

1230 

1120 




14 




2800 

2400 

2/00 

1870 

1680 

1530 

1400 



16 




3200 

3/50 

2760 

2450 

2160 

2000 

1840 



id 





3600 

3500 

3U0 

2800 

2550 

2330 

2/50 

2000 

ZO 






4000 

3850 

3470 

3/50 

2890 

2670 

2480 

2Z 







4400 

42/0 

3820 

3500 

3230 

3000 

Z4 








4800 

4560 

4160 

3860 

3580 


L oads above zigzag line are liable to crack plastered ceil¬ 
ings, as the deflections exceed j&d of span. 

Loads immediately above dotted lines mdicote the 
limit for resistance to horizontal shear. 



- 1 - n 

pw 

i-r-J 

- Z - 1 

/)///// 

r 1 

f \ 

V 

N // /An\ m 1 

|>)////7 

f ' 

T T 

I Tn\ 


V ' + 1 





%~7 «- . 



Let V7 ”• Safe load in pounds. 

L " Length of span in inches. 


W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

w 


6400 hd* 

3 L. 


3200 bd z 

3L 


800 L bd* 

3mn 


800 bd* 

3 m 

800 bd z 


tGOO bd t 

3L 


* Ccvnmercjo/ timber C Depth—L’J /deg t~ 19/7 Computed by/f.Dittman 


Lngh 


214 


































































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 

Edition 1917-18. 


Section 

ABATTOIRS .902-K 

ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE .495 

ACCESS TO WATER AND GAS IN CASE OF FIRE....515 

ACID WORKS .905-v, 906 

ADDITIONS TO BUILDING—Permit required.116 

ADDITION TO OLD WALLS—Increasing thickness—.334 

ADDITION TO SCHOOLS .885 

ADHESION BOND .445 

ADJOINING PROPER.TY—Protection of, while ex- 


C3/V3-tin^ ^29 

ADJOINING BUILDINGS—Protection "of"‘roofs''"””—1021 

ADMINISTRATION . PART I 

AGGREGATE OTHER THAN STONE .318 

ALCOVES TO HABITABLE ROOMS .724 

ALLEYS—Definition of .132 

ALLEYS—Fireproof openings required in .223 

ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS—Existing deficiencies 

as to egress, etc., may bar permit....1027 

In general ...1025 to 1034 

In apartments and tenements .704 

In fireproof buildings .1028 

Permit required .116 

Rendered necessary by regrades or street widen¬ 
ing .1026 

To buildings exceeding lawful height .1027 


AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING MATERIALS 

MADE—AUTHORITY ON—Testing cement 406 


Testing fireproof floors .„.217 

Testing fireproof partitions .224 

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS ...402 

AMUSEMENT HALLS .822 to 831 

ANCHORAGE—Of ashlar . 347 

Of joists .377 

Of reinforcement . 451 

Of walls to framing ...377 

ANNUAL INSPECTION OF ROOF SIGNS .1009 

ANNUAL REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEAL .131 

APARTMENT HOUSE—Live load .....304 

APARTMENTS AND TENEMENTS .701 to 735 

AISLES TO BE CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTION .815 

APPEAL—Board of .126 to 132 

APPENDAGES— 


Construction of, on other than frame buildings....1003 

Dimensions ,fo on other frame buildings .1004 

Projection of, with respect lot line, frame 

buildings .286 

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT—Corrections in ..120 


To be filed 


117 


APPRAISAL OF FIRE LOSSES . 1040 

APPROACHES TO EXITS .v...601 

ARCHITECTS MAY SIGN FOR OWNER . 117 

ARCHITECTS—Penalty for not employing .469 

ARCHITECTURAL EMBELLISHMENTS .1004 

AREA BETWEEN FIRE (DIVISION) 

WALLS .501, 502, 503 

AREA—Definition of .132 

Of Courts ...287, 288, 289 

Of interior balconies .1002 

Of lots that buildings may cover . 287 

Of rooms . 720 

AREA WAYS—Under Sidewalks . 

ARMORIES—Live load . 304 

ASBESTOS—Board facing of signs when three stories 

high . 1011 

Board shelves in dressing rooms .851 

Cloth . 881 


Page 

149 
85 
90 

150 
22 
55 

147 

75 

54 

170 
19 
51 

122 

25 

31 

173 

174 
119 
173 

22 

171 

173 

67 
29 
31 
66 
129 
58 
64 
' 76 

64 
165 
25 
48: 
117 
128 
• . 24 

163' 

164 

44 

22 

22 

174 
98 
22 
79 

164 

86 

25 

44. 

163 

44 

121 

181 

48 

167 

137 

145 

























































216 


INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


ABESTOS— (Continued.) 

Curtains in amusement 


Paper— 

Between floors, non-fireproof aj: 
Cell corrugated around smoke 


348, 


Tile roofing . 

ASHLAR FACING .J.347, 

ASPHALT PLANTS ... 

ASPHALT JOINTS IN BRICK STABLE FLOORS 
ASSEMBLY HALL—Definition of . 


Live load, in . 

Public .,-804 

Places of, in frame buildings .... 

ASYLUMS—Live load . 

ATTIC SPACES—Division of . 


to 


AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS— 

If installed division walls may be omitted 


In department 
In factories o 
In ice houses 


In ordinary masonry buildings 

In restricted buildings . 

In theatres . 


AWNINGS—Live load on 
See also . 


BAGGAGE CRATES 


Definition of 


Plastering in 


Stairs, enclosure of 
Stairs to *. 


BAY WINDOWS—Construction of, on other than 


BED POCKETS—Ventilation of 


ection 

Page 

..1.826 

130 

8 4 9 

136 

....733 

123 

....543 

94 

....546 

94 

....245 

35 

....732 

123 

....626 

104 

....558 

97 

....261 

39 

....261 

39 

....945 

154 

....261 

39 

, 349 

58 

...902-q 

149 

....920 

151 

....801 

124 

....889 

147 

....304 

48 

821 

125 

....276 

41 

....304 

48 

....509 

88 

....244 

35 

....670 

112 

s.”) 


....243 

35 

....286 

44 

....503 

86 

....244 

35 

....513 

89 

....945 

154 

...502 

86 

....514 

90 

...945 

154 

....247 

36 

...265 

40 

...503 

86 

....858 

139 

...514 

90 

...304 

48 

178 

to 180 

...670 

r 

112 

.1003 

163 

.1004 

164 

....274 

48 

.1002 

163 

....731 

123 

....278 

42 


42 

....223 

31 

....224 

31 


39 

....513 

89 


104 


101 

....730 

122 


163 

..1004 

164 

....274 

41 

....375 

63 

....448 

75 


47 

....257 

37 

....271 

40 

....258 

37 

....351 

58 

..1012 

167 






























































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 

BLANKET CLAUSES—Frame buildings .281 

Fireproof buildings ...... 232 

Mill buildings .249 

Ordinary masonry buildings .266 

Strength of concrete construction .470 

BLACKSMITH SHOPS .905-e, 906 

BLEACHERS—Live load .304 

BOARD OF APPEALS ...126 to 132 

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS—May permit temporary 

buildings .1016 

To pass upon stable locations . 929 

To pass upon laundry locations .945 

To pass upon location of limited buildings ...906 

To formulate regulations in re cement testing.... 

BOARDING HOUSE—Live load ...304 

BOILERS AND FURNACES—Forbidden in theaters 859 

BOILER ROOMS—Egress from .608 

Enclosure of .;.556 

Enclosure of , stairs from .629 

In mill buildings .243, 246, 247 

In ordinary masonry buildings adjacent first 

district . .265 

In school buildings .885 

Openings fireproofed, all buildings .556 

Openings fireproofed, mill buildings .246 

Sprinklers in .247 

BOILERS—Setting of .555 

BOND BETWEEN SLAB AND BEAM—Reinforced 

concrete 453 454 

BONDS REQUIRED" ON—temporary" buildings'"...’.1016 

Bill boards .:.:.1012 

Roof signs .......1009 

BOOTHS—Picture machine .871 to 878, 881 882.... 

BOX COLUMNS .i...485 

BORING OF TIMBERS FOR PIPES—Frame buildings 275 

Ordinary masonry buildings . 262 

BRACKETS—Exterior .1004 

BREWERIES .905-r, 906 

BRIDGES-—Between buildings .605 

BRIDGE FIRE ESCAPE . 605 

BRIDGING—In frame buildings .272 

In ordinary masonry buildings .. 259, 260 

BRICK—A fireproof material .214 

Crushed for concrete ...418 

Footings ......331, 332 

Masonry . ......338, 37 8 

partitions 4 inch thick, in dwellings X.257 

Quality of .338 

Tile and terra cotta factories . 905-h, 906 

Wettng of .345 

BRICKSET FURNACES, RANGES, ETC .548 

BROKEN STONE .417 

BUILDING DISTRICTS—(See map) . — 

BUILDING CODE—Amendable by Board of Appeals 127 

BUILDINGS—Definition of .132 

For special uses, Part IX .- — 

Heretofore erected .103 

Of mixed class .211 

May be ordered vacated .110 

May be ordered demolished .110, 112 

May be better than the law requires .211 

BUNKERS .952, 953, 954, 955 

BUTTRESSES—For architectural embellishment ....1004 
For stiffenng walls ...-.368 

CABLES—For elevators .672 

CANDLE FACTORIES ..905-1, 906 

CARNIVAL BUILDINGS .1016 

CASES—For films ....:.875 

CASKS OF WATER ON STAGES .860 


CAST IRON—Not permitted in fire escapes .642 


217 


Page 

42 

32 

37 

40 

79 

150 

48 

24 

168 

152 

154 

150 

66 

48 

140 

101 

97 

104 

36 

40 

147 
97 
36 

36 

97 

76 

168 

167 

165 

143-146 

84 

41 
39 

164 

150 

99 

99 

41 

38 

29 

68 

54 

64 

37 

56 
150 

57 

95 

68 

209 

24 

25 

148 
19 
27 
21 
21 
27 

155 

164 

61 

113 

149 
168 
124 
140 

81 

106 

































































218 


INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


CEILINGS—Of basements, frame buildings, plaster¬ 
ing of ...——. 


CELLAR—Definition of . 

Stairs to . 

CELLARS—Fireproof openings in 
CEMENT—Defintion of . 


CERTIFICATE OF PERMISSABLE LIVE LOAD. 


CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT— 


To regulate occupancy of department stores 


Live load in 


To be lined with metal 
CINDER CONCRETE—Use < 


CITY COMPTROLLER—Bonds for temporary build- 


Theater license . 

Moving picture theater license 


CLASSES OF BUILDINGS AND WHERE PER- 


CLASSROOMS—In basements . 

CLEARANC7 IN ELEVATOR SHAFTS 


CLUB HOUSES—Live load 


COLUMNS- 


Must approve laundry locations 


In reinforcement 


Blocks . 

Capping of piles 


less 


ction 

Page 

..278 

42 

..244 

35 

..285 

42 

..608 

101 

..223 

31 

..401 

66 

..426 

69 

..256 

37 

..866 

141 

..274 

41 

..359 

60 

..306 

49 

..214 

29 

..123 

23 

..125 

23 

..515 

90 

..862 

141 

..502 

86 

...527 

92 

..732 

123 

) 546 

92 

..337 

56 

803 

124 

..304 

48 

..735 

124 

...523 

91 

...418 

68 

...902 

148 

.1009 

165 

.1016 

168 

.1012 

167 

...864 

141 

...880 

145 

...127 

24 

...107 

20 

...210 

27 

...886 

147 

...669 

112 

...523 

91 

...132 

25 

...304 

48 


157 

i 127 

24 

...216 

29 

...945 

154 

, 485 

81, 83, 84 

485 

81, 83, 84 

. 462 

76 

...446 

75 

...375 

63 

...218 

29 


33 

...383 

66 


152 

...924 

151 

...940 

154 

...735 

124 


74 


73 

...448 

75 

...114 

21 

...502 

86 

...214 

29 


62 


51 


68 


81 

432 

68 


































































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 219 


CONCRETE—(Continued.) 
Mixers ... 


Section 

...420-1 


Outer inch on columns and piers not computed 446 


Piles .322, 323, 324, 325 

Reinforced .432 to 477 

Steel and cement, Part IV . — 

Walls, thickness of .372 

Work in freezing weather .429 

Work n warm weather . 430 

Under water . 431 


Page 

68 

75 

53 

71-80 

66 

63 

71 

71 

71 


CONDUCTORS—For rainwater .I 1006 165 

CONFLAGRATION CONDITIONS—Defined .213 28 

CONSENT OF NEIGHBORS TO GARAGES .938 154 

CONTINUITY OF STAIRS .609 101 

CONVENTION HALLS—Temporary .1016 168 

CORNER LOT—Definition of .285 42 

CORRECTION SHEET . 120, 121 22 

COPING OF FIREWALLS .374 63 

CORNICES—Exterior .1003, 1004 164 

CORBELLING OF WALLS .__.377 64 

COURTS—Area of .287, 288, 289 45 

Definition of .285 42 

Fireproof openings in .223 31 

Walls not of masonry, when .242 34 

Walls to be of masonry, when .217, 236, 255 29, 33, 37 

COVES—Plaster .911 150 

COWS—Takes two to make a dairy .928 152 

CROSS AISLES . 815 128 

CROSS-BRIDGING—Frame buildings .272 41 

Ordinary masonry buildings .259, 260 38 

CRUSHED BRICK .418 68 

CRUSHED STONE .417 68 

CURTAINS—In docks .951, 952 155 

CURTAIN WALL—Definition of .351 58 

CURTAIN WALLS—Concrete .463 78 

CUTTING OF TIMBERS .262, 275 39-41 


DAIRY—Definition of .928 

DAIRY STABLE .905-c, 906, 928 

DANGEROUS CONDITIONS—Superintendent shall 


DEAD LOAD—Definition of . 

To be indicated on plans ..-. 

DEFLECTION—In reinforced concrete . 

DEFINITIONS—Alley ... 

Amusement hall . 

Apartment ..,.. 

Area . t- 

Assembly hall . 

Basement story . 

Bearing wall . 

Brick masonry . 


Cement . 

Cement mortar . 

Church . 

Classes of building: 

Club house . 

Concrete . 

Conflagration condii 

Corner lot . 

Court . 

Curtain wall . 

Dary stable . 

Dead load . 

Detention, place of 


152 

149-152 


..111 

21 

1035 

174 

..302 

48 

..466 

79 

..471 

80 

.,132 

25 

..822 

129 

.702 

117 

.132 

25 

..801 

124 

..285 

42 

..351 

58 

..341 

56 

.132 

25 

.101 

19 

205 

27 

..285 

42 

..401 

66 

.351 

58 

.802 

124 

.210 

27 

.132 

25 

.419 

68 

.213 

27 

.285 

42 

.285 

42 

...351 

58 

.928 

152 

.302 

48 

.304 

48 

.132 

25 

.132 

25 

.132 

25 

.304 

48 







































































220 


INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 

DEFINITIONS—(Continued.) 

Exit . .-.801 

Exterior court . 

Factory .—-. 

Filler wall .“51 

Fire door ... .51U 

Fireproof buildings within meaning of this 

code . 21 ‘ J > 232 

Fireproof openings . "'"'Ha 

Fire wall (see division wall) . 

First story ...——.'"'loo 

Frame buildings ......270, 274, 281 

Front of lot .702 

Garage .-.122 

Garage, private .-.. 

Grade (see established and natural grades). 

Gravel .-.415 

Ground story .-.-.....285 

Habitable rooms .132 

Hard plaster .132 

Height of buildings .....230 

Height of a story .370 

Hotel .-. .132 

Incombustile materials .215, 216 

Inside lot .<-285 

Inspector . 132 

Interior court . 285 

Kitchenette .702 

Lime mortar . 339 

Lime and cement mortar .339 

Limited buildings .905 

Live load .303 

Lodging house . 132 

Lot line .132 

Masonry .-.132, 336 

Masonry buttresses . 368 

Mill buildings ._j.-.236 

Moving picture machines . 865 

Moving picture theater . 865 

Natural grade . 132 

Non-bearing wall . 351 

Office buildings .132 

Open lot .132 

Ordinary masonry building, as meant by this 

code .255, 266 

Owner .132 

Party line court .285 

Party wall .132 

Person .132 

Prohibited buiildings .902 

Public assembly, places of .801 

Public hall .132 

Rear of lot . 702 

Reinforced concrete .432 

Retaining wall . 132 

Roof yard . ....713 

Rubble, masonry . 336 

Sand . 414 

School . .833 

Shaft . 285 

Skeleton framing. ...488 

Store building. 132 

Story .285, 370 

Street . ...132 

Tenement . ...702 

Theater .J....8 32 

Thoroughfare .285 

Through lot . 132 

Veneer .132 

Warehouse . 132 

Wire glass . 132 

Workshop .. i. .132 

Yard .285, 702 


Page 

124 

42 

25 

58 

88 

27-32 

31 
63 
25 
42 
25 

40, 41, 42 
117 
25 
154 

68 

42 

25 

25 

32 
62 
25 
29 
42 
25 
42 

117 

56 

56 

149 

48 

25 

25 

25-53 

61 

33 
141 
141 

25 

58 

25 

25 

37-40 

25 

42 

25 

25 

148 

124 

25 

117 

71 

25 

120 

55 

68 

146 

42 

84 

25 

, 42, 62 
25 
117 
130 
42 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 

42, 117 













































































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 221 


Section PcLge 

DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS—May be ordered 


when — .....110 21 

Permit for, required .116. 22 

Method of procedure .1041 175 

DEPARTMENT STORES .502 86 

DEPOTS—Live load .304 48 

DETRIMENTAL USES OF APARTMENTS .734 124 

DETENTION—Places of, defined . 304 48 

DIAGRAM OF EXITS ON PROGRAMMES .857 139 

DINING ROOM .702 117 

DISTANCE APART OF FRAME BUILDINGS .286 44 

DITRICTS AND CLASSES OF BUILDINGS—PART II— 27 

DISTRICT—Map of .— 209 

^DIVISION WALL—Definition of .132 25 

*DIVISION WALLS—Openings in .510 88 

DOCKS—Buildings on .950 to 954 155 

DOG POUNDS .905-d, 906 149 

DOORS—Alsove . 724 122 

Automatic closing device for .510 88 

Automatic fire, in fire walls .504-508 87 

Automatic fire, Mill buildings, boiler rooms .243 35 

Automatic fire, to freight elevators .666 111 

“Bunce” automatic .'.510 88 

Fire .510, 511 88 

In attic partitions .509 88 

In division walls .1.510 88 

In elevator enclosurss .666, 667 111 

In entrance stair halls ......633 105 

On stair landings .618 102 

Opening on fire escapes .....640 106 

Metal covered .’..223 31 

Minimum size, at stair hall entrance .633 105 

Self-closing fire .510 88 

Stair enclosure .631 105 

To fire escapes, size of glass in.641 106 

To pent houses.,.;..653 109 

To toilet rooms, to be self-closng.292 47 

DORMERS—How constructed.1003 163 

If of wood. 274 41 

DOWN SPOUTS.1006 165 

DRAFT CURTAINS—In docks.951, 952 155 

DRAWINGS—Not required, when.119 22 

To be kept at the works. 109 20 

To be stamped “approved”.121 22 

To show constructon of forms.466 79 


DRILL HALL—Livve load.304 

DRY ROOMS.558 

DUMB WAITER SHAFTS—Lining of.523 

DRARF PARTITIONS.-.1001 

DWELLINGS—Definiton of.132 

Distance apart.*.2 86 

Location on lot...,.286 

Masonry, foundation for.332 

Stairs in .607 

Exceptions n favor of 

Alcoves permitted.-V.124 

Stairway requirements.601 

Fire walls . 506 

Height of celings.121 

Smoke vents.526 

Thickness of chimney walls .537 

Service valves at curb omitted.515 

Transoms not required.723 

Window area not fixed...-.722 

Brick partitions 4" thick permitted.257 

Elevator provisions do not apply...660 


ECCENTRIC LOADING—On materials and founda¬ 
tions .. 


48 

97 
91 

162 

25 

44 

44 

54 

101 

122 

98 
87 

121 

91 

93 

90 

122 

122 

37 

109 

50 


* “Division wall” is desgnated in this index for the convenience 
of those who have become familar with the term by reason of its 
use in former ordinances. The framers of this code call these walls 
“fire walls”, and what was formerly called a fire wall ^ is called a 
“fire wall parapet.” 



































































222 


INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 


ECCENTRIC LOADING—On columns 

EGRESS—Means of. 

EGRESS—Lack of. 

ELECTRIC SIGNS. 

ELEVATORS— 

Alterations to. 

Baggage crates on forbidden. 

Blanket provisions . 

Bumpers „... 

Cables . 

Cabs . 

Clearance required . 

Flue linings not required . 

Combined freight and passenger 
Electrc automatic. 


.479 

PART VI 

.110—d 

1008, 1009 

.,680 

.671 

.660 

.j,.682 

....672, 674 

....670, 671 

.669 

..528 

.690 

.670 


Enclosures'— 

Above first story in fireproof bldgs. 

Above first story in non-fireproof bldgs 

Below first story. 

Freight elevators.......■-. 

Openings In.>..'. 

Facilities for inspection and tests. 

Factor of safety to be doubled . 

Freght, openings on cage. 

Freight, passengers on. 

Grating, over shaft... 

Guide rails. . .-. 

Grilles ..-. 

Hand rope operating. 

Head room top of shaft..,. 

Hydraulic . 

In apartment houses... 

In dwellings need not apply. 

In hospitals.:. 

Inspecton must be made promptly... 

Live load on. 

Machinery at top of shaft. 

Material hoistng. 

Operators, age of . 

Overspeed stops.>.... 

Passengers, number of, finished installation 

Passengers, number of, material hoists. 

Pent house, over. 

Pits, depth of.'. 

Safety devices.,.. 

Safety devices on old elevators. 

In sidewalks..... 


662 

663 


...664-665 

...666-668 

.689 

.675 

.671 

.690 

.677 

..678 

. h ...670 

.683 

.676 

.680 

.673 

.660 

.673 

.687 

..673 

.677 

..1020 

.692 

.681 

.673 

..1020 

.689 

.679 

680, 681 
..680 


Service . 690 

Sheave supports. 675 

Size, proportion to engine.673 

Superintendent must inspect within 6 hours .687 

Test after alteraton.685 

Test, annual.686 

Test upon installation .684 

Tests, how made.688 

Unsafe, to be condemned.687 

Use of, during construction......691 

Use of, when completed . 690 

Worm gear machines. 680 


ENCLOSED STAIRS.j..625 

ENTRANCES ARE ALSO EXITS.801 

ENTRANCE STAIR HALL.634 

EQUIVALENT METHODS AND MATERIALS.129 

ERECTION OF STEEL.492, 493, 494 

ERRORS DISCOVERED AFTER PERMIT.124 

ESTABLISHED GRADE—Defined.132 

EXCAVATIONS...328, 329, 330 

EXHIBITIONS—Places of public.304 

EXIT—Definition of .801 

EXIT DOORS—Mnimum size of. 633 

EXIT LIGHTS— 


Public assembly halls.„..819 

School auditoriums ..891 

Theatres . 856 


Page 

81 

98 

21 

165 

114 
112 
109 

115 
113 
112 
112 

92 

116 
112 

109 

109 

109 

111 

111 

116 

113 
112 
116 

114 

114 
112 

115 

113 

114 
113 
109 
113 

115 

113 

114 
169 

116 

115 

113 
147 

116 

114 
114 

114 
184 
116 
113 

113 

115 
115 
115 

115 

116 

115 

116 
116 

114 

104 
124 
106 

24 
85 
23 

25 
54 
48 

124 

105 

129 

147 

139 









































































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 


EXITS—Obstructions in.601 

EXITS—Diagram of on programmes.857 

EXPERT INSPECTION CONCRETE.467, 468, 469 

EXPERT INSPECTION. OP STEEL. t .484 

EXPLOSIVES—Buildings for manufacture of....-..902-d 

EXPOSITION BUILDINGS. 1016 

EXTENSION OP TIME ON PERMIT...;.122 

EXTERIOR APPENDAGES.......1003, 1004 

EXTERIOR COURT—Definition of.285 

EXTERIOR OPENINGS—Fireproof, when.246 

EXTERIOR WALLS—To be of masonry, when— 

Fireproof buildngs -...,......217 

Mill buildngs .. 236 

Ordinary masonry buildngs .. 255 

EXTERIOR WOODWORK ON P. P. AND MILL 

FACTORY—Definition of . 132 

FACTORIES, FIREROOF,—Height of.228, 229, 230 

FEE FOR APPEAL TO BOARD OF APPEAL.127 

FENCES . 1013 

FENCES ON ROOF YARDS.:.714 

FILLER WALL—Definition of.351 

FILM EXCHANGES...971 to 976 

FILMS—Cases for in theatres.875 

FINAL INSPECTION OF ASSEMBLY HALLS.821 

FINAL INSPECTION OF MOVING PICTURE 

THEATRES .880 

FINAL INSPECTION OF THEATRES... 864 

FINISH CEMENT FLOOR NOT PART OF SLAB.452 

FINISH—METAL INTERIOR.1.231 

FINISH, WOOD— 

Fireproof building . 226 

Frame buildings . 270 

Mill buildings ..........i—.245 

Ordinary masonry buildingss.257 

FIR— __ 

Allowable stress (see table, page 214).379 

Traps .in stage floors.852 

FIRE ALARMS IN THEATRES.....:. .......861 

FIRE DISTRICTS ...... 

FIRE DOORS— 

Alley openings— 

Fireproof buildings . 223 

Mill buildings . 246 

Amusement halls .. \ .825 


Basements— 

Fireproof buildings . 

Mill buildings . 

Stair enclosures in. 

Boiler rooms— 

All buildings other than dwellings. 

Mill buildings . 

Ordinary masonry buildings. 

Construction of . 

Department stores .-. 

Divison walls-—- 

In any building. v —-. 

In mill and ordinary masonry buildings 

Where walls cross halls. 

Dock buildings over, 500 ft. long. 

Dressing rooms— 

In amusement halls. 

In theatres .-. 

Dry rooms . 

Elevator enclosures— 

Below 1st floor.-. 

Certain occupancy and use... 

Freight elevators . 

In department stores . 

In fireproof buildings.. 

In non-fireproof buildings. 

Exterior openings first district— 

Fireproof buildings ... 

Mill buildings . 

Fireproof towers . 


...223 

...246 

...629 

...556 

...243 

...265 

...223 

...502 

...510 

...504 

...508 

...952 

...827 

...851 

..558 

..661 

..665 

..666 

..502 

9662 

..663 

.223 

..246 

..620 


223 


Page 

98 

139 

79 

84 

148 

168 

23 
163 

42 

36 

29 

33 

39 

25 

32 

24 
167 
121 

58 

157 

144 
129 

145 
141 

76 

32 

27 

40 
35 
38 

64 

137 

140 

209 


31 

36 

130 

31 

36 

104 

97 

35 
40 
31 
86 

88 

87 

88 
155 

130 

137 

97 

109 

111 

111 

86 

10 .. 

109 

31 

36 
103 






























































Ehrlich-Harrison 

Company 


HARD WOOD 

LUMBER 


'AND. 


FLOORING 


Railroad Avenue 
at Connecticut Street 


Seattle, Wash. 


224 










INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


225 


FIRE DOORS—(Continued.) 

Fireproof buildings . 

Firewalls— 

In any building.■. 

In mill and ordinary masonry buildings 

Where walls cross halls. 

Frame buildings .... 

Garages . 

Hanging of . 

Hospitals ... 

Mill building boiler rooms. 

Mill buildings besdes boiler rooms. 

Moving picture theatres. 

Partitions in theatres. 

Prosceniums— 

In amusement halls. 

In theaters . 

Public assembly halls... 

Shaving vaults . 

Smoke houses ... 

Star enclosures— 

At exits . 

In department stores . 

Operation of . 

Serving both sides division wall. 

Tower . 

Superintendent’s discretion as to hanging of 
Synonym, Fireproof openings, which see. 
Theatre exits— 

All usual . 

Emergency . 

To passages through other occupancy .. 

Tower stairways . 

Vaults for shavings... 


Section 

.223 

.510 

.504 

.508 

.286 

.935 

.510 

.912 

.243 

.246 

.866 

.851 

.825 

.848 

805, 806 

.559 

.557 

.630 

.502 

.631 

.605 

.620 

.510 


840 

842 

833 

620 

559 


Page 

31 

88 

87 

88 
44 

153 

88 

150 

35 

36 
141 
137 

130 

136 

125 

97 

27 

105 

86 

105 

99 

103 

88 


132 

134 

131 

103 

97 


FIRE BRICK FLUE LININGS.538 

FIRE DRILLS IN THEATRES.862 

FIRE ESCAPES— 

Construction of.640 to 652 

In courts .289 

Ladder with stand pipes .820 

May be omitted, when.’605 

Number required.602 

Number required modified by conditions named 605 

On fireproof assembly halls.810 

Refuge and detention buildings.913 


FIRE EXTINGUISHERS— 

In moving picture theatres .879 

In theaters ...860 


FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS— 

In moving pictue theatres .879 

In theatres ...860 

Maintenance of .862 

FIRE HAZARD REGULATIONS—PART IV . 

FIRE MARSHAL .502 

FIRE LOSSES—Appraisal of .1040 

FIREPLACES— 

Must have chimneys ...732 

Structural requirements .547 

FIRE PREVENTIVE APPARATUS .110-d 

FIREPROOF— 


Assembly halls, required, when .807 

Buildings— 

Assembly halls on upper floors.810 

Blanket clause .232 

Courts in, size of .289 

Definition of .212 

Fire escapes required on .603 

Fire escapes required on, for assembly halls 810 

Height of .227 to 231 

Height of, when habitable .703 

Stairs in .615 

Where required .-.210 

Churches required, when .803 

Materials defined .213 


93 

141 

106 

45 

129 

99 

98 

99 
126 
150 

145 

140 

145 

140 

141 
66 
86 

174 

123 

95 

21 

125 

126 
32 
45 
28 
98 

126 

32 

117 

101 

27 

125 

27 































































226 INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 

Section Page 

FIREPROOF—(Contined.) 

Openings— 

Definition of .223 31 

In firepfoof buildings ..,.....223 31 

In frame buildings . 286 44 

In elevator shafts . 665 111 

In mill buildings . 243 35 

In ordinary masonry buildings .265 40 

In stair enclosures, doors . 631 105 

In stair enclosures, sash .632 105 

Partitions ......224, 225 31 

Places of refuge and detention . ..910 150 

Sash, interior . 632 105 

Tower stairways .....620 103.. 


Windows— 

In elevator shafts .668 112 

In garages ..;.....935 153 

Opening on fire escapes ..:.641 106 

FIREPROOFING OF STEEL— 

In fireproof buildings .218, 219, 220 29, 30 

In mill buildings ..237 33 


FIRE SHUTTERS— 

How constructed . 5.11 89 

Where required . 223 31 

FIRE STATIONS—Automobiles in _:_1. 939 154 

FIRE STATIONS SUBJECT TO CODE . 102 19 

FIRESTOPPING, MASONRY— 

In court walls, ordinary masonry buildings .256 37 

Over bearing partitions, frame buildings. . 273 41 

Over bearing partitions, ordinary masonry build¬ 
ings . 260 39 

FIRESTOPPING, WOOD ..,.-.256 37 

FIRE WALLS—(“Division walls” in former ordinances) — 

Area between ...-.'-501 86 

Construction of .-...504 87 

Crossing halls ..-......508 88 

Discretionary power of superintendent in re—.505 87 

Distance apart ...—.—..506 87 

Extension above roof .374 63 

In attics . 509 88 

In docks .....951, 952 155 

Large rooms intercepting .:........—507 88 

Openings through . 506 87 

Reduced in number or omitted, where .503 86 

Where required .-...501 86 

Wooden . 506 87 

FIRE WALL PARAPETS (“Fire walls” in former 

ordinances) . 374 63 

FIRST STORY—Definition of . 285 42 

FLAG POLES .:.1007 165 

FLAT BUILDINGS—Definition of .:....132 25 

FLOORS—Finished in fireproof buildings .222 30 

FLOORS IN MILL BUILDINGS . 238 33 

FLOORS IN ORDINARY MASONRY BUILDINGS ....261 39 

FLUE LININGS— 

Boiler flues ......’...............537 93 

Of fire brick .....:.538 93 

Where required . 528 92 

FOOTINGS—Structural steel in .. 218 29 

FORMS—Plans and specifications required .466 79 

FORMS FOR CONCRETE— 

Construction of .472 473 80 

Plan or required ...:....466 71 

Removal of, during freezing weather ..‘...429 41 

Removal of, ordinarily . ..474 80 

FORBIDDEN BUILDINGS . 902 148 

FORMULAE— 

Bending moments reinforced concrete . 437 73 

Compression in reinforcement . 442 74 

Masonry piers . ,.343 57 

Pile driving . .'.321 53 

Plate girders ............483 83 






























































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 227 


Section Page 


FORMULAE—(Continued.) 

Rectangular slabs .!.........438 73 

Steel and iron columns ...479 81 

Wood posts ...,.380 65 

FOUNDATIONS, GENERAL ...326 to 336 53 

Computation of live load on ....307 49 

Wooden . 333 55 

On tide and shore lands ......333 55 

FOUNDRIES .....905-g, 906 149 

ERAME BUILDINGS— 

Adjacent to second district . 280 42 

Blanket Clause .:...281 42 

Definition of .:. r .270 40 

Distance apart ....'..286 44 

Distance' from lot lines ...,.286 44 

Framing in ...270 to 279 40, 42 

Height of, if apartment houses .703 117 

Height of, ordinarily . 279 42 

Office buildings ....276 . 41 

Where permitted . 210 27 

FREEZING WEATHER—Brickwork in . 345 57 

FREEZING WEATHER—Concrete work in .429 ; 71 

FRONT OF LOT—Definition of .702 117 

FROST TO BE GUARDED AGAINST .335 55 

FURNACE ROOMS— 

In mill buildings ...243, 246 35 

In ordinary masonry buildings ...!..265 40 

FURNACE, BRICKSET .548 95 

FURRING ON WALLS—To be firestopped .260 39 

FURRING ON WALLS BASEMENT SLEEPING 

ROOMS .......:.:......731 123 


GARAGE—Definition of .....132 

GARAGES ........935 to 939 

Live load . ...304 

GARBAGE—Disposal from apartments ----------^5 

GATES TO ELEVATORS .—-.-. -664, 666, 667 

GAS AND WATER SERVICE BOXES . ...515 

GAS DEVICES—Protection required ..-553, 554 

GAS WORKS .*.905-u, 906 

GIRDERS—Wood, built up . 

Wood, minimum dimension .43b 

GLUE FACTORIES .902-1 

GRADE—(See established and natural grades.) 

GRADIENTS AT THEATER ENTRANCES .-837 

GRADING CAMPS .iJJ® 

GRAND STANDS—Live load .*04 

GRAVEL . .-.415 

GRAVEL ROOFS—Mill buildings .440 

Ordinary masonry buildings .4bi 

GROUND STORY—Definition of .‘.. 

GROUT ..-.-.*. 

GUARDS ON MACHINERY . |924 

GUARDS ON SCAFFOLDS .-.-. 10 ^ 


25 

153 

48 

124 

111 

90 

96 

150 

65 

33 
149 

132 

168 

157 

48 

68 

34 
39 
42 
69 

171 

170 


HABITABLE ROOMS—Defined . 

HABITATION OTHER THAN DWELLINGS—Frame 

buildings .*.:. j-A 

HAND RAILS—On stairs .*.-."i" 

On enclosed stairs to roof .”22 

On stairs in fireproof towers . 

On stairs in theatres .-.-. '"'109 

HARD PLASTER—Definition of . 

HAZARDOUS STORAGE ...-.-.-.^ 

HEADROOM ON STAIRS . ''"'197 

HEARING BEFORE BOARD OF APPEALS .127 

HEATING OF THEATRES . .. 

HEIGHT—Above grade of assembly halls . 

Above grade of schools .*. "Aqq 

Above grade of theaters ..-.-.-. inii 

Above sidewalks of signs .-. 970 

Of a story, defined . 


25 

41 

103 

109 

103 

135 

25 

148 

102 

24 

95 

140 

126 

147 

132 

167 

62 




































































228 


INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 

HEIGHT—Above grade of assembly halls—(Continued.) 

Of billboards .*.1JJ2 

Of buildings, defined ...230 

Of ceilings of habitable rooms .---.121 

In schools ... —VaaI 

Of exterior balconies .-. -—1004 

Of fences .—-.1013 

Of fireproof apartment houses ..-.<03 

Of fireproof buildings .227 to 231 

Of frame apartment houses ...-.-.703 

Of fram ebuildins .279 

Of hand rails on stairs . 620 

Of interior balconies . 1002 

Of mill buildings .-......248 

Of mill building apartment houses . 703 

Of ordinary masonry apartment houses . 703 

Of ordinary masonry buildings . 264 

Of places of habitation .703 

Of places of refuge and detention .910 

Of sheds, first and second districts . 1015 

Of stair risers .617 

Of tenements and apartments .703 

Of towers on fireproof buildings .229 

Of towers and spires—Frame buildings _ 279 

Mill buildings .248 

Other masonry buildings.264 


Page 

167 

32 

121 

147 

164 

167 

117 

32 

117 

42 

103 

163 

36 

117 

117 

40 

117 

150 

167 

102 

117 

.32 

42 

36 

40 


HOISTS—For materials ...1020 

HOLLOW TERRA COTTA FURRING— 

Basement sleeping and living rooms.731 

HOLLOW TERRA COTTA WALLS.371 

HOLLOW WALLS.373 

HOODS OVER RANGES— 

Flues from to have flue lining.528 

HOODS OVER HOTEL RANGES.549 

HOOPED COLUMNS....459, 460 

HOSE REELS—In amusement halls.831 

In stables .923 

In theatres ...858 

In docks ...,.952 

HOSPITALS—Classed as “Limited Buildings’’ .905-a 

Coved angles required...911 

Elevators in ......912 

Live load .. 304 

HOT AIR DUCTS AND REGISTERS.546 

HOTEL—Definition of .132 

Live load . 304 

HOTEL RANGES ...549 to 552 

HOUSE MOVING PERMITS. 116 

HOUSE NUMBERS ... 


169 

123 

62 

63 

92 

95 

78 

130 

151 

139 

155 

149 

150 
150 

48 

94 
25 
48 

95 
22 

177 


ICE HOUSES .945, 946 

ILLUMINATED SIGNS .1008, 1009 

INCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS—Defined.215, 216 

INCOMBUSTIBLE PARTITIONS—Defined ..225 

INCOMBUSTIBLE STUD CONSTRUCTION— 

Required certain frame buildings.277 

Required for boiler rooms.556 

Required for dry room... 558 

INCOMPLETE DRAWINGS .118 

INFLAMMABLES—In apartments and tenements ....734 

On roof .m...525 

Storage of, in theatres.833 

INSANE ASYLUMS .902-a 

INSIDE LOT—Definition of.285 

INSPECTION—Annual, of roof signs.....1009 

Semi-annual, of theatres.862 

Of concrete forms. 473 

During placing of concrete.L..467, 468, 469 

Of steel at mills...,...484 

Required before lathing.520 

INSPECTOR—Definition of . 132 

INTERFERENCE WITH INSPECTIONS.108 

INTERIOR BALCONIES .1002 

INTERIOR COURT—Definition of.285 


154 

165 

29 

31 

42 

97 

97 

22 

124 

91 

131 

149 

42 

165 

141 

80 

79 

84 

90 

25 

20 

163 

42 







































































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


> Section 

INTERNAL STRESSES REINFORCED CONCRETE— 


Calculation of .439 

IRON—Cast and wrought.477 to 480 

Cupola chimneys .540 

Mills .509—p, 906 

Store fronts ... a .350 

JOINTS—In reinforced concrete..447 

JOIST ANCHORS .377 

JOISTS— 

Bearings of—In frame buildings.272 

In ordinary masonry buildings.259 

To be self releasing. ....377 

JOIST HANGERS .382 

JUNK SHOPS.905-f, 906 

KETTLES—Candy ....554 

KITCHENETTE—Definition of. 702 

KITCHENETTES—Ventilation of . 290 


LADDERS TO SCUTTLES .652 

LAITANCE— 

To be cleaned off.426 

To be prevented in sub-aqueous work.431 

LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE. ...310 

LATERAL PRESSURES—Unusual . ...365 

LATTICE COLUMNS .485 

LAUNDRIES .940 


LEASEHOLD RIGHT—Evidence of may be required....117 


LIFE OF PERMIT.122 

LIGHT, AIR AND VENTILATION.287 to 293 • 

LIGHT, AIR AND VENTILATION—Lack of. 110-d 

LIGHTING— 

Of halls .635 

Of moving picture theatres. 877 

Of public assembly halls.819 

Of schools •. ....896 


A -p thpfltrpc! 

LIGHTS AT STEPS IN AISLES.''”'....!. 

LIME AND CEMENT MORTAR DEFINED 

LIME—Characteristics of . 

LIME MORTAR—Defined . 

LIMITED BUILDINGS . 

LIVE LOAD— 

Assumed for various buildings. 

Balconies, interior .-. 

Ceilings . 

Definition of . 

Determined by Supt. when. 

Elevator cabs . 

Fire escape balconies. 


..856 

..815 

..339 

..339 

..339 

..905 

..304 

1002 

..244 

..303 

..305 

..673 

..644 


Fire escapes— 

Fire escape ladders . 

Fire escape stairways. 

Fire escapes on theatres.-. 

Indicated on plans... 

Placarded in certain buildings. 

Reduction of, in high buildings. 

Theatre s tail’s _____ 

LOADS PERMITTED AT FOUNDATION 

LODGING HOUSE—Defined . 

LODGING HOUSE—Live load. 

LODGE HALLS—Live load. 

LOOKOUTS FOR CORNICES. 

LOT LINE—Defined . 

LUMBER YARDS . 


.646 

.650 

.842 

.466 

.306 

...307 

.842 

..314 

..132 

.304 

.304 

.1003 

132 

905-n, 906 


MACHINERY GUARDS ..!024 

MANSARD ROOFS . 

MANURE DISPOSAL ... 

MAP OF FIRE DISTRICTS. - 

MARQUEE—Live load . 177 

MASONRY . . ...3 31 to 

MASONRY BUTTRESSES—Definition of.368 


229 


Page 

73 

80 

94 

150 

58 

75 

64 

41 

37 

64 

65 
149 

96 

117 

46 

109 

69 

71 

50 
61 
84 

154 

22 

23 

44 

21 

106 

144 

129 

148 
139 
128 

56 

56 

56 

149 

48 

163 

35 

48 

49 
113 
107 

107 

108 
134 

79 

49 

49 

134 

51 
25 
48 
48 

163 

25 

150 

171 

39 

151 
209 

48 

to 179 
54 
61 



































































230 INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 

Section Page 

MASONRY— 

Defined in general terms.132 25 

Defined in specific terms...336 55 

Firestops— 

In court walls, ordinary masonry buildings....256 37 

Over bearing partitions, frame buildings.273 41 

Over bearing partitions, ordinary masonry 

buildings .;.256 ' 37 

Supported on wood.:...376 64 

Thickness, ratio .372 63 

MASS CONCRETE—Strength of.. 441 73 

MASS CONCRETE ...419 to 432 68 

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION .311, 312, 313 50 

MAYOR— 

Annual report to by Board of Appeal_ 131 25 

May revoke electric sign permits at pleasure.1009 165 

Must approve certain emergency actions.112 21 

MEANS OF EGRESS.PART VI 98 

MEANS OF EGRESS FROM ROOF YARDS...713 120 

METAL CASES FOR FILM. 875 144 

METAL CEILINGS— 

In mill buildings .244 35 

In ordinary masonry buildings .. 263 39 

Sheathing required for. 263 39 

METAL COVERED DOORS—See “Fire Doors.” 

METAL FRAMES—See “Fireproof Openings.” 

METAL LATH AND PLASTER— 

Ceilings of boiler rooms, mill buildings... 243 35 

Ceiling forming attic n mill buildings......244 35 

Ceiling of basements .. .........263 39 

Courts and shafts, ordinary masonry buldings....256 37 

Dressing rooms . 827 130 

Exterior appendages ......,_274 41 

Halls anr passages, frame buildngs. 276 41 

Halls and passages, ordinary masonry buildings....263 39 

Partitions mill buildings . 241 34 

Picture machine booths, exterior of...873 143 

Theatres, outside of first district.835 131 

Wall and ceilings mill buildings .. 244 35 

METAL LINING OF CHUTES. 523 91 

METAL ROOFING . , . . .240 34 

METAL SHEATHING OF COURTS— 

Ord. masonry buildings. 256 37 

METAL TRIM .....’..U..”””””'.'.214 29 

METAL—See also “Sheet Metal.” 

MILL BUILDINGS...236 to 249 33 

Apartments, height of. 703 117 

Blanket clause . 249 37 

Definition of ..U...Y36 33 

Height of, other than apartment houses..248 36 

Where permitted . ’.210 27 

MILL CONSTRUCTION ROOFS-On fireproof schools 884 146 

MINERAL WOOL— 

Around pipes and flues, frame building. 273 41 

Around pipes and flues, mill buildings. 260 39 

MINOR REPAIRS . 119 22 

MIRRORS IN THEATRES...-.......840 132 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS .PART X 162 

MIXED OCCUPANCY . 970 157 

MOVING OF BUILDING... ......116 22 

MOVING PICTURE FILM EXCHANGES....971 to 986 157 

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE BOOTHS....871 to 882 143 

MOVING PICTURE THEATRES__:... 865 to 882 141 

MOVING PICTURE THEATRES—Live load.304 48 

MORTAR . 339 56 

MUD SILLS . 333 55 

MUTILATION OF POSTED NOTICES.114 21 

NATIONAL BOARD OF FIRE-UNDERWRITERS— 

Classification of specially hazardous articles.901 148 

Regulation as to sprinkler equipment .247 36 

NATURAL GRADE—Definiton of.132 25 

NEGATIVE MOMENT—Reinforced concrete.437 73 

NEW MATERIALS TO BE TESTED.313 50 




























































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


NON-BEARING PARTITIONS. •.. 

NON-BEARING WALLS . 

NON-COMPLIANCE WITH CODE— 

Building- declared a nuisance....._. 

Made a misdemeanor..... 

Work may be stopped for.......:..;_;.... 

NOTICES—Posted— 

Decisions of Board of Appeal. , .129, 


Indicating permissable live loads 
Limited buildngs, contemplated... 


Ordering 


NOTICE OP INTENT TO ENTER 

PRIVATE APARTMENTS -. 

NUMBERS, BUILDINGS TO HAVE. 

OCCUPANCY—Change of . 


OFFICE BUILDINGS— 

Definition of ... 

Frame ....... 

Live load ........ 

Mill construction ....'_1. 

O. K. FOR LATHING......:...-. 

OPEN LOT—Definition of...-.-. 

OPENINGS ABOVE ROOF—Mill buildins.... 

OPENINGS IN STAIR ENCLOSURES— 

At first story.. 

Doors . 

SASH .-..------- 

OPEN SPACE RESERVED FOR LIGHT AND A 
ORDINANCE REQUIRED—In case of prohibited 


Blanket clause . 

Definition of . 

Height of .. 

Towers and spires on. 

Where permitted . 

OWNER—Definition of . 


JT. . 

PAINT FACTORIES.-,.-.-.-. 905 -F 

PAINTING OF FIRE ESCAPES.---------. 

PAINTING OF STRUCTURAL STEEL. 

PANIC BOLTS .<--.-.-.. 

PANTRIES—Ventilation of. 1 . 

PARTITIONS— 

Brick 4" thick in dwellings. ------- 

Fireproof .-.. 

Incombustible stud, boiler rooms. . . 

Incombustible stud, certain frame buildings. 

Incombustible stud, dry rooms. 

In mill buildings... 

“Rabbit” .-.. 

Solid plaster ...-.orV- 

Stud bearing . .........-. 

PARTY LINE COURT—Defined.- 

PARTY WALL—Defined .------. 

PASSAGEWAY YARDS TO STREETS .-. 

PASSAGEWAYS—Metal lathed and plastered . 



231 

ction 

Page 

.434 

71 

..271 

40 

..351 

58 

1097 

176 

1096 

176 

-109 

20 

130 

24 

, 652 

108 

...306 

49 

...906 

150 

113 

21 

113 

21 

...109 

20 

...111 

21 

..116 

22 

...904 

149 

130 

25 

...929 

152 

...114 

21 

...108 

20 


177 

...125 

23 

...970 

157 

1 502 

86 

...132 

25 

,.276 

41 

...304 

48 

...244 

35 

...520 

90 

...132 

25 

...246 

36 

...628 

104 

...631 

105 

...632 

105 

. 287 

44 

...904 

149 

3 266 

37 

...265 

40 

...703 

117 

...266 

40 

266 

37 

...264 

40 

...264 

40 

...210 

27 

...132 

25 

...117 

22 

, 906 

150 

906 

150 

...642 

106 

...496 

85 

...842 

134 

...291 

47 

...257 

37 

225 

31 

....556 

97 

....277 

42 

....558 

97 

—241 

34 

...241 

34 


34 


37 

....285 

42 

...132 

25 

— 712 

120 

...276 

41 

































































232 


INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 

PASSENGERS ON ELEVATORS—Number permitted 673 

PENAL CLAUSES .1096, 1097 

PENT HOUSES— 

Height permitted .1004 

Over elevators .689 

Over stairs where required.653 

PERMISSION TO MAKE CHANGES IN PLANS.123 


PERMITS— 

Asbestos curtains .-.849 

Buildings on docks and wharves.-.954 

Buildings generally.116 to 124 

Change of occupancy.125 

Extension of time on. 122 

Film exchanges...971 to 974 

How obtained.117, 118, 120, 121 

Issued under former ordinances.104, 105, 106 

Limited buildings....906 

Life of .122 

Laundries .-----.-.940 

Minor repairs .—115, 119 

Moving buildings .116 

Not valid if erroneosly issued.,.124 

Opening of moving picture theatres .-...880 

Opening of public assembly halls.... 821 

Opening of theatres .864 

r Placard .i.116 

Portable picture machine booths.881 

Prohibited buildings . 904 

Required, when .116 

Revocable by Superintendent. 122 

Sheds, 1st and 2nd districts.1015 

Stables .928, 929 

Temporary buildings .1016 

PERSON—Definition of .132 

PICTURE MACHINE BOOTHS.871 to 882 

PIERS—Proportions of . 343 

PILASTERS .368 

PILE FOUNDATIONS .318 to 326 

PIPE CHASES . 224 

PIPES IN REINFORCED CONCRETE. 461 

PITS UNDER ELEVATORS—Depth of. 679 

PLACARDS DIRECTING TO FIRE ESCAPES '"651 
PLACARD SHOWING THAT PERMIT IS ISSUED "ll6 

PLACES OF HABITATION. PART 'vil 

PLACES OF HABITATION— 

Forbidden in theatres. 833 

PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY.PART VIII 

PLACES OF REFUGE AND DETENTION.506 to 509 

PLACES OF REFUGE AND DETENTION— 

Fireproof, when .910 

PLANS-—Changes in after permit.. 123 

PLANS—Errors discovered in.124 

PLANK FRAMING .270 

PLANK PARTITIONS— 

Courts mill buildings. 242 

Courts, ordinary masonry buildings.256 

PLANING MILLS..905-0, 906 

PLANS REQUIRED FOR ELECTRIC SIGNS...1009 

PLANS REQUIRED FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE 

AND FORMS . 466 

PLASTER BOARD— 

Courts, ordinary masonry buildings.256 

Certain ceilings, ordinary masonrv buildings..263 

PLASTERING IN MOVING PICTURE THEATRES 866 
PLASTER NNOT CONSIDERED AS FIREPROOFING 220 

PLASTERING . 520 

PLASTER OF PARIS 

NOT A FIREPROOF MATERIAL. 216 

PLASTERING IN FRAME BUILDINGS. 276, 278 

PLASTERING IN MILL BUILDINGS.241, 243, 244 

PLASTERING IN 

ORDINARY MASONRY BUILDINGS. 263 

PLATE GIRDERS . 483 

PLUMBING IN STABLES. 922 


Page 

113 
176 

164 
116 
109 

23 

136 

156 
22 
23 
23 

157 
22 
19 

150 

23 

154 

22 

22 

23 

145 

129 

141 

22 

145 

149 
22 
23 

167 
152 

168 

25 

146 
57 
61 
51 
31 

78 

114 
108 

22 

117 

131 

124 

87 

150 
23 
23 
40 

34 
37 

150 

165 

79 

37 

39 

141 

30 

90 

29 

42 

35 

39 

83 

151 
































































INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 


POLICE STATIONS—Automobiles in.939 

PORTABLE PICTURE MACHINE BOOTHS.881 

POST CAPS 381 

powers of BOASD OF'APPEAL:::::::::i2rto''i32 
POWERS OF SUPT. OF BUILDINGS—In general 107, 108 

PROGRAMMES—Diagram of exits required on.857 

PROHIBITED BUILDINGS ..902 

PRINTING OF REPORT—Board of Appeal.131 

PRIVATE GARAGES . .936 

PROJECTION OF CORNICES.1004 

PROJECTION INTO STREETS.1004 

PROSECUTIONS PENDING .106 

PROSCENIUM WALL— 

Amusement halls . 825 

Tli 68 -itrGS | 848 

PROTECTION "of" AD JO'lNING*' PROPERTY—’ ’ 

Whle excavating . 329 

PROTECTION OF ADJOINING ROOFS 

DURING CONSTRUCTION .1021 

PROTESTS AGAINST LIMITED BUILDINGS.906 

PROTESTS AGAINST STABLES .929 

PUBLIC— 

Assembly halls.801, 804 to 821 

Assembly, placese of...801 to 832 

Assembly, places of, live load.304 

Buildings subject to code..102 

Buildings, frame . 276 

Hall defined . 132 

Halls, lighting of...635 

Halls, metal lathed and plastered.276 


PUBLICATION REQUIRED—Prohibited buildings....904 


RACKING OVER OF CHIMNEYS.534 

RADIATORS IN THEATRES.859 

RAG SHOPS.905-g, 906 

RAINWATER LEADERS . 1006 

RAISING OF BUILDINGS... 116 

RATPROOFING OF BUILDINGS. 

RAZING OF BUILDINGS—(See demolition). 

REAR EXITS—Moving picture theatres. 868 

REAR OF LOT DEFINED...702 

RECEPTACLES FOR MANURE.924 

RECESSES IN WALLS— 

For radiators in theatres.859 

Limited as to depth. 364 


RED LIGHTS AT EXITS— 

Public assembly halls. g56 

red^ights near* fire Escapes'.'.'. ’V !;;;r 

refuge and detention— 276 

Places of, frame buildings. qi0 

Places of, fireproof when.394 

Places of, live load. 

REGISTERS—HOT AIR— 546 

Construction of ..--.-. 059 

Forbidden in floor of theatres... 

REGULATIONS— 217 

In re fireproof floor. 247 

In re sprinkler systems. 439 

Supplemental code .”’477 

REINFORCED CONCRETE. 446 

REINFORCEMENT— Distance from suriace. 

REINFORCEMENT— Fabrication ol.....4Tfi'"487 

REINFORCEMENT BARS—Distance apait. 116 

REMOVAL OF BUILDINGS™-.-. n4 

REMOVAL OF POSTED NOTICE. 

REPAIRS— . 119 

Permit not required, when.to 1035 

To buildings v ---..-.•. 903 

To prohibited buildings. 304 

RESIDENCES—Live load . 


233 


Page 

154 

145 

65 

24 
20 

139 

148 

25 
154 
164 

164 
20 

130 

136 

54 

170 

150 
152 

124 

124 

48 
19 
41 
25 

106 

41 

149 

93 

140 

149 

165 
22 

185 

142 

117 

151 

140 

61 

129 

139 
108 

49 

41 

150 
48 

94 

140 

29 

36 

25 

71 

75 
80 
84 

76 
22 
21 

22 

171 
149 

48 





























































PHONES 

Res. North 2744 Bus. Main 5851 

STAR 


SHEET METAL 

MFG. CO. 


QUALITY 



ANYTHING IN SHEET METAL 

FOR 

BUILDINGS, RESTAURANTS, ETC. 

THEATRE SMOKEVENTS AND SKYLIGHTS 

AUTOMATIC SHUTTERS AND FILM CABINETS 
FOR MOTION PICTURE BOOTHS 

FIRE DOORS AND SHUTTERS 
CORNICES CONDUCTORS GUTTERS 

SKYLIGHTS MARQUISES VENTILATION 

GENERAL JOBBING AND ROOFING 


SEND FOR “DOCK” FOR DESIGNS AND ESTIMATES 


1526 SIXTH AVENUE 

BETWEEN PIKE AND PINE STREETS 

Phone Main 5851 


234 











INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 

RETAINING WALL—Defined .'.....132 

At curb .... 178 

REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEALS.131 

REVIEWING STANDS—Live loads.304 

REVOCATION OF PERMIT.....122 

RHEOSTATS FOR MOVING PICTURE MACHINES 878 

RIDING ACADEMIES—Live load.304 

RIGHT OF INSPECTORS TO ENTER BUILDINGS 108 
RIGGING LOFTS— 

In amusement halls.—.828 

In theatres ..... . .853 

ROOF— 

Construction, mill buildings.240 

Construction, certain schools.884 

Construction, steel, fireproofing of .....221 

Exit from stage... 840 

Of adjoining buildings, protection of...1021 

Signs ........1008, 1009 

Sprinklers on docks... 952 

Tanks . 1050 

Yards .^.....713 to 716 

ROOFING TILE— 

On ordinary masonry buildings . 261 

On roof yards.713 

ROOFS—Live load on. 304 

ROOFS OF SHEDS—1st and 2nd districts..:.1015 

ROOFS-—Protection during construction.1021 

ROOMS IN APARTMENTS AND TENEMENTS....720, 721 

^00 clIso 

RUBBLE MASONRY—DUfinedUU'!UUU"l‘U”’!U"UUU"U336 
RULINGS ON BOARD OF APPEAL—Effect of.127 


SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION....1017 to 1023 

SAFETY DEVICE ON ELEVATORS .680, 681, 682, 683 

SAND . 414 

SAND LIME BRICK... 342 

SANITARIUMS ...905-n, 906 

SAW DUST NOT A FIREPROOF MATERIAL.216 

SCAFFOLDS ..1022, 1023 

SCENERY TO BE INFLAMMABLE.850 

SCHOOLS ...883 to 896 

SCHOOLS—Live loads . ....304 

SCREENS ON DWARF PARTITIONS...1001 

SCUTTLES AND LADDERS.653 

SEATING CAPACITY AMUSEMENT HALLS— 

How computed... 825 

SEATING CAPACITY CHURCHES—How computed....803 
SEATS— 0C)0 

Amusement halls, spacing and fastening ot..8^3 

In schools ...- -.-.°9 3 

In theatres ..-----__-.o44 

Public assembly halls, spacing and fastening of..-.816 
SELF CLOSING DOORS REQUIRED TO 

TOILET ROOMS.-v-.-.292 

SEMI-ANNUAL THEATRE INSPECTION..862 

SHAFT—Definition of .-.285 

SHAFTS—Area of .—292 

SHAFTS—Ventilation of .290 

SHAVINGS—Vaults for .-.559 

SHEAR IN CONCRETE. —444 

qttt^a’R tint ttmeer .-.-. o l\) 

SHEATHING FOR METAL CEILINGS AND WALLS 263 

SHEDS IN 1ST AND 2ND DISTRICTS.1015 

SHEDS ON PIERS AND DOCKS.-.951 


SHEET METAL— 

Basement ceilings .-.. 

Ceilings and walls..-. 

Chimney Tops .-. 

Covering of exterior appendages. 

Covering of exterior wood work........--—— 

Covering of sheds in 1st and 2nd districts. 

Covering of scuttles and pent houses. 

Covering of shelves. 


..278 

..263 

..536 

..274 

1003 

1015 

..653 

..875 


235 


Page 

25 

to 182 
25 
48 

23 

145 
48 
20 

130 

137 

34 

146 
30 

132 

170 

165 

155 

175 

120 

39 

120 

48 

167 

170 

121 

178 

55 

24 

169 
115 

68 

57 

150 

29 

170 
137 
146 

48 

162 

10.9 

130 

125 

129 

143 

148 

134 

128 

47 

141 

42 

47 

46 

97 

77 

64 

39 

167 

155 

42 

39 

93 

41 

163 

167 

109 

143 





























































236 


INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section Page 

SHEET METAL—(Continued.) 

Covering of wood lintels. 376 64 

Covering of wood work above roof.245 35 

Fire stops.around pipes— 

Frame buildings .273 41 

Ordinary masonry buildings ._.260 39 

Joints in, to be riveted or locked.223 31 

Lining of chutes.523 91 

Lining of freight elevator shafts.665 111 

Lining of passenger elevator shafts.663 110 

Lining of picture machine booths.873 143 

Over grille work on elevators.670 112 

Picture machine booths....872 143 

Roofing . 261 39 

Skylights and curbs.1003 163 

SHOWER BATHS REQUIRED—When.730 122 

SHUTTERS—Fire ...511 89 

SHUTTERS IN PICTURE MACHINE BOOTHS....874, 875 143 

SIAMESE CONNECTIONS— 

For basement sprnkler systems.513 89 

For sprinkler systems. ...503 86 

Theatre standpipes . 858 139 

SIDEWALKS—Over Areas . 181 

Elevators . 182 


SIZE OF MOVING PICTURE MACHINE BOOTHS...-871 143 

SIZE REQUIRED FOR HABITABLE ROOMS.720 121 

See also .... 177 

SKELETON FRAMING.488 too 491 84 

SKYLIGHTS— 

Constructon of .....1003 163 

On dock structures.....952 155 

Over courts . 289 45 

Over stages— 

Of amusement halls. 829 130 

Of theatres ..._.854 138 

Protection of adjoining buildings .1021 170 

SLABS—Top finish not a part of.452 76 

SLATE ROOFS .261 39 

SLEEPING ROOMS—In cellars and basements.731 123 

SLEEPING ROOMS—Not allowed in theatres .833 131 

SLEEPING ROOMS—Size required. 720 121 

See also .... 181, 182 

SLENDERNESS RATIO OF CONCRETE COLUMNS....456 76 

SMOKE FLUES— 

In party walls.542 94 

Not to project through windows or walls.542 94 

SMOKE— 

On roof yards.715, 716 121 

Houses . 557 97 

Pipes .543, 544, 545 94 

Stacks .,....539 93 

Vents over halls and elevators.526 91 

Vents over stages— 

Of amusement halls ..'.829 130 

Of theatres . 854 138 

SOAP FACTORIES.905-k, 906 150 

SOFFITS OF STAIRS—Metal lath and plaster, when....276 41 

SOLID BRIDGING— 

In frame buildings.273 41 

In ordinary masonry buildings... 260 39 

SOLID AND STUD CONSTRUCTION— 

Boiler room enclosures mill buildings .243 35 

Floors, mill buildings.....238 32 

Interior courts, ordinary masonry buildings.256 37 

Partitions mill buildings. 241 34 

Roof construction, mill buildings.240 34 

SOILS—Various loads permitted on.314 51 

SPACING BARS—Hooped columns.459 77 

Span lengths for computing moments. 436 71 

SPARK ARRESTERS . ”539 93 

SPECIFICATIONS TO ACCOMPANY APPLICATION 118 22 


SPECIFICATIONS NOT REQUIRED—When...!.""ll9 22 






























































NDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


SPIRES AND TOWERS— 


Fireproof if on other than frame. 


General provisions 


SPRINKLER SYSTEMS— 
Dry rooms . 


Concessions as tofire walls on account of. 


In storage baserm 
On roofs of docks. 


Over theatre stages. 


STABLES IN CONNECTION 
WITH OTHER OCCUPAJ 
STABLES—Live load . 


STANDPIPES .,. 

In theatres . 

In docks ... 

STAIRS— 

In dock structures.— 

In general .620 to 

In schools .891, 

In theatres . 

Middle rail required, theatres. 

To balconies . 


STAIR ENCLOSURES— 

In general .626 to 


STAIRWAYS—Metal and lath plaste 

STEAM BOILERS—Setting of. 

STEAM PIPES—Not to be built in < 
STEAMER CONNECTIONS— 

For basement sprinklers. 

For sprinkler system. 

For theatre sprinkler systems. 

STEEL—Reinforcing— 

Fabrication of . 


STEEL—Structural.....477 to 

STIRRUPS—Reinforcing .450, 

STOCK YARDS. 


STOP WORK NOTICE... 

STORE BUILDING—Definition 

STORES—Live load . 

STORY—Definition of .. 

STORY—Definition of . 


of. 


Of brickv 
Of concre' 
Of stone 
Of timbei 

STREET— 

Definition 
Numbers 
STRESSES— 


of 


In lbs. per sq. in. 


STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS IN 


GENERAL 
.PART 


STUD BEARING 



237 

action 

Page 

...229 

32 

.1003 

163 

I..279 

42 

...960 

157 

...248 

36 

...264 

40 

..*.448 

75 

...558 

97 

...247 

36 

...503 

86 

...244 

35 

...513 

89 

...952 

155 

: 265 

40 

...858 

139 

i 929 

151 

...277 

42 

...304 

48 

...121 

22 

...512 

89 

...858 

139 

...952 

155 

...953 

156 

625 

103 

894 

148 

...847 

135 

...847 

135 

.1002 

163 

...847 

135 

630 

10 * 

...276 

41 

...276 

41 

...555 

97 

...461 

78 

...513 

89 

...503 

86 

...558 

97 

..475 

80 

...487 

84 

...486 

84 

496 

80 

451 

76 

..90 2-o 

149 

349 

55 

..109 

20 

..132 

25 

..304 

48 

..285 

42 

..370 

62 

..521 

91 

..341 

56 

..469 

79 

..377 

64 

.379 

64 

.132 

25 


177 

469 

79 

445 

73 

..478 

81 

i 483 

81 

III 

48 

..257 

37 






























































238 INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 

Section Page 

SUPERINTENDENT’S DISCRETION 

TO BE EXERCISED IN RELATION TO— 

Attic spaces, mill buildings.'....244 35 

Automotic sprinklers . ....244 35 

Bracing of chimneys. —535 93 

Brick partitions, thickness of, in residences.257 37 

Buildings on waterfront ...'.. .951 155 

Certain ceilings . 277 42 

Concrete aggregates .:...........418 68 

Conduct of brickwork.346 58 

Division walls . 505 87 

Employment of cement tester... 404 66 

Exits from certain stables. 925 152 

Finish floors in fireproof buildings..222 30 

Fireproofing of steel. 446 75 

Fireproof partitions ......224 31 

Fire resistive floors. 507 88 

’ Fire walls . 505 87 

Hanging of fire doors.510 88 

Height of balconies, interior... 1002 163 

Ice House construction and location.946 155 

Increasing height of old buildings .1027 173 

Incombustible partitions . 225 31 

Locations of out-buildings..286 44 

Method of fastening sheet metal.263 39 

Method of firestopping pipe chases . 244 35 

Method of mixing concrete.421 69 

Mill building floors.^/238 33 

Mixed classes of construction. 211 27 

Mixed occupancy ...970 157 

Pitch of aisles.869 142 

Proportions concrete columns.456 76 

Plastering in moving picture theatres . 866 141 

Reinforced concrete walls.265 40 

Repairs to fireproof buildings. 1028 173 

Selection of Roofing— 

Mill buildings .240 34 

Ordinary masonry buildings...........261 39 

Side hill conditions.,.285 42 

Size of gravel...416 68 

Sprinklers in mill building attics.:........244 35 

Towers and Spires— 

Frame buildings . 279 42 

In general ..'.960 157 

Mill buildings .248 36 

Type of concrete mixer. 420 68 

Use of theatres for other purposes .833 131 

Veneer on concrete..... ......465 78 

Ventilating shafts . 285 42 

Ventlation various rooms . 291 47 

Ventilation of courts. 289 45 

Wire glass in entrance halls.,. .630 105 

SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDINGS— 

May enlarge list of fireproof materials........214 29 

May extend permit.~.,...122 23 

May revoke permit...122 23 

May order test of foundation soil.316, 317, 318 51 

May require test of any material.313 50 

May take possession of unsafe buildings...,...112 21 

May waive filing of drawings ......119 22 

Powers defined ...107, 108 20 

Shall inspect suspected buildings.; Ill 21 

To issue regulations in re sprinklers.247 36 

SUPERVISION OF CONCRETE WORK.469 79 

SUSPENSION OF WORK MAY BE ORDERED.109 20 

TABLES OF WALL THICKNESSES.357 to 363 59 

TANKS ON ROOFS— 

In general . .V ........1050 175 

On mill buildings.....,..245 35 

TEE BEAM DESIGN.454, 455 76 

TEMPORARY BUILDINGS .1016 168 

TEMPORARY FLOORS DURING CONSTRUCTION....1017 169 

TEMPORARY STAIRS DURING CONSTRUCTION....1019 169 



































































INDEX TO , BUILDING CODE 


>• 


TENEMENT— 

' Defiriition of 
HOUSES .... 



TENINO SANDSTONE.'...:...-r U A. 

TENSION IN CONCRETE......... 

TENTS AND COVERED WAGONS...... 

TENTS—Stove pipes in......;... 

TERRA COTTA— 


A fireproof material..JT-A-. 

Flue lining . 

Flue linings for boilers . 

Furring . 

Quality of .... 

Walls ... 


TESTS— . _ 

Of any material may be required-...,..... 

Of bearing capacity of soil.—. 

Of cement .... 

Of concrete piles... 

Of elevator installations. 

Of finished concrete required.... 

Of new types of reinforced concrete. 


Section 

.1........702 

.PART VI 

.337 

...439 

.1014 

. 539 

...214 

.528 

.537 

.731 

.. 340 

..371 

.. .313 

316, 317, 318 
...402 to 413 
325 

--684 to 689 

.470, 471 

.435 


THEATRE— 

Definition of ...832 

General requirements..,832 to 864 

Semi-annual inspection of ...8 62 

Live load ..304 


THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS— 

Reinforced concrete .436 

THICKNESS OF CONCRETE WALLS.372 

THICKNESS OF FLOORS— 

Above beams .......,..222 

Mill buildings . 238 

Ordinary masonry buildings.............—261 


THICKNESS OF FOUNDATION WALLS.333 

THICKNESS OF WALLS.347 to 373 

THIMBLES for smoke pipes...„_.533 

THOROUGHFARE DEFINED. .....285 

THROUGH LOT DEFINED...................132 

TILE—Dense, a fireproof material....;.214 

TIMBER PILES.318 to 321 

TIMBER STRENGTH—To be computed at actual size 383 

TIMBER—Structural...—378 to 383 

TIMBERS MUST BE SELF-RELEASING..—377 

TOILET ROOMS 

IN APARTMENTS AND TENEMENTS.,,.....730 

TOILETROOMS—Ventilation of . 292 

TOWERS OF HIGH BUILDINGS.229 

TOWERS AND SPIRES— 

Fireproof, where . 970 

On frame buildings. 

On mill buildings.:..—.-.------.^48 

On ordinary masonry buildings.. 

Superintendent’s discretion in re....you 

TOWER STAIRWAYS ,.-.*?20 

TRANSOMS REQUIRED—When. i .. 

TUNNELS NEAR FOUNDATIONS.-.330 

TWO OR MORE APARTMENT HOUSES 

ON ONE LOT. b 

UNBALANCED MOMENTS.<..458 .. 

UNINTELLIGIBLE DRAWINGS .. 11 ? 

VACATION OF BUILDINGS.-.-. 110 

VALUE—How . construed 

in determining possible repair.'oV-T'+k osa 

VAULTS FOR FILMS...-.-. 971 to 9 °” 

VENEER—Definition of .-.-----.iSf 

VENEERED BUILDINGS .-----. SAi 

VENEERED BUILDINGS—Foundation for.—. 

VENEER FACING ON CONCRETE .465 

VENT ducts'not 1 to^bSminatb'in'ATT icsZZsae 


239 


Page 

117 

98 

56 

73 

167 

93 

29 

92 

93 
123 

56 

62 

50 

51 
66 

53 
116 

79 

71 

130 
130 
141 
• 48 

71 

63 

30 
33 

39 
55 
58 
92 
42 
25 
29 
51 
66 

64 
64 

122 

47 

32 

163 

42 

36 

40 
157 
103 
122 

54 

119 

77 
22 
21 

116 

21 

174 

157 

25 

41 

55 

78 
47 
91 





































































/on 

HEATING 


and 


/on 

DRYING 

ancf 


V ENTILATING T CONVEYIN G 


THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL 
FIRE ASSOCIATION 


YOUR HOME COMPANY 
Dividends and Savings to 
Policyholders in 


GENERAL OFFICES 

CENTRAL BUILDING 


Enterprise Brass Foundry 

Brass and Bronze Castings 

Seventh Avenue and Lander St. 

Main 6181 SEATTLE 


Japanese-American Electric Company 

Y. FUJIHIRA, B. S. in E. E. 

Construction : Supplies : Repairs 

665 Main Street 

Phone Main 5499 SEATTLE, WASH. 

Nippon Plumbing and Electric Works 

A. YAMADA, Mgr. 

Plumbing and Electric Wiring Contractor 

ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES, PLUMBING GOODS, ETC. 
Quick Service, Reasonable Prices Automobile Accessories 

Phone Elliott 2040 667 Jackson St., Seattle 


240 

















INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


241 


Section Page 

VENTS FOR ESCAPE OF SMOKE— 

From docks .952 155 

From halls .526 91 

From stage of amusement halls.829 130 

From stage of theatres.854 138 

VENTILATION IN GENERAL.287 to 293 44 

VENTILATION AND LIGHT—Lack of.110-d 21 

VENTILATION— 

In skylights .1003 163 

Of amusement halls .830 130 

Of balconies .1002 163 

Of bed pockets .293 47 

Of courts .289 45 

Of ends of timbers on walls.377 64 

Of manure receptacles.,.924 151 

Of permanent picture booths.876 144 

Of portable picture machine booths.881 145 

Of schools .895 148 

Of sleeping rooms... 177,, 178 

Of theatres . 855 139 

Of wall beds.293 47 

Plans of for Health Department.294 48 

Under floors where no basement.327 54 

VIOLATIONS FORMER ORDINANCES.105, 106 20 


VIOLATIONS OF THIS CODE—Penalty for....l096, 1097 176 


WAGONS—Covered .1014 

WALL BEDS . 293 

WALLS— 

Care of during erection.346 

Concrete, reinforcement in . 462, 463, 464 

Reduction of live load on.307 

Thickness of— 

Facing on.347, 348, 349 

For foundations . 333 

For residence partitions.257 

In general .352 to 372 

Threatened by excavations^.329 

WAREHOUSE—Definition of .--------------1^ 

WAREHOUSE—Fireproof, height permitted 228, 229, 230 

WATER AND GAS SERVICES.--.515 

WATER CLOSETS—In apartments and tenements.734 

WATER-FLUSHED GARBAGE CHUTE.735 

WATER-FRONT BUILDINGS .—- J 

WATERMAINS ENDANGERED BY FOUNDATIONS 330 

WATER PIPES IN CONCRETE WORK.461 

WATERPROOF MATERIALS . - 212 

WATERPROOF PAPER . 238 

WATER TANKS— iAcn 

Construction of . 947 

May be omitted, where. jty 

Supports for . 2 f5 

WEDGING OF COLUMNS—Forbidden.375 

WHARVES—Buildings on .951 

WIDTH OF AISLES IN SCHOOLS.--893 

WIDTH OF EXTERIOR BALCONIES.1004 

WIDTH OF HALLS IN SCHOOLS. 892 

WIDTH OF STAIR HALLS.°34 

WIDTH OF STAIRS .-----.51b 

WINDOWS IN ELEVATOR ENCLOSURES. 668 

WINDOWS—Size and number required— 

In places of habitation." 

In schools . 808 


WIND PRESSURE— 

Effect of on steel design. 

On bill boards . 

On buildings . 

On flag poles . 

On signs . 

WIRE GLASS— 

A fireproof material . 

Definition of . 

Hotel stairway entrances. 

Minimum size in stair enclosures 


.480 

.1012 

.309 

.1007 

1008, 1009 

.214 

.132 

.628 

.632 


167 

47 

58 

78 

49 

58 

55 

37 

58 

54 

25 

32 
90 

124 

124 

155 

54 

78 

28 

33 

175 

36 

35 

29 

63 

155 

148 

164 
147 
106 
102 
112 

122 

147 

83 

167 

50 

165 
165 

29 

25 

104 

105 

































































242 


INDEX TO BUILDING CODE 


Section 

WIRE GLASS—(Continued). 

Office building stairway entrances.630 

Public halls apartment houses.733 

Required in fireproof openings.223 

Stair enclosures .628, 630, 632 

Windows facing fire escapes.641 

Windows in elevator shafts . 668 

WIRE NETTING— 

Dry rooms .,.558 

Elevator guards, freight...-.671 

Elevator guards for passengers.670 

Fabric for concrete around beams....220 

Fire escape balustrades..........648 

Scaffold guards .1022 

Over skylights ...1003, 1021 

Under skylights .854 

WOOD COLUMNS—Minimum dimensions of.236 

WOOD PERMITTED IN FIREPROOF BUILDINGS 226 

WOOD SIGNS . 1011 

WOODWORK—Exterior, mill buildings.245 

WOODWORK NEAR HEAT TO BE PROTECTED.553 

WOODWORKING FACTORIES.905-m, 906 

WORKMANSHIP—Standard of .312 

WORKSHOP—Definition of .132 


WRITTEN REPORTS ON CONCRETE INSPECTION 468 


Page 

105 

123 

31 

105 

106 
112 

97 
112 
112 

30 

107 

170 

163 

138 

33 

32 
167 

35 

98 
150 

50 

25 

79 


YARD— 

Definition of . 285 

Definition of .702 

Size of required.710 to 713 

On roofs ...713 to 716 

YARDS FOR APARTMENTS AND TENEMENTS .710 

YARDS ON ROOFS.713, 714, 715, 716 


42 

117 

119 

119 

119 

120 





























INDEX TO PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


Section 


ABANDONED WELLS AS CESSPOOLS. 19 

ACCESS TO BUILDINGS. 13 

AIR TEST . 6 

APARTMENT—Definition of . 15 

Water closet accomodations required. 16 

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT to be filed. 3 

APPROVAL CERTIFICATE. 8 

AREAS to be drained . 33 

BACK VENT—When may be omitted. 29 

BACK VENTING . 24 

BASEMENTS—To be drained. 33 

Water closets in. 17 

BENDS—Quarter bends forbidden. 24 

BRACING OF SOIL AND WASTE LINES. 25 

BRANCH SOIL AND BRANCH WASTE DEFINED.... 23 

BRASS VENT PIPES. 30 

BUNK HOUSES .>.... 16 


CASING OF WATER CLOSETS. 38 

CAST-IRON—-Pipe and fitting's. 25 

Pipe, weight of, table “A”. — 

CELLARS—To be drained. 33 

Water closets in. 17 

CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL. 8 

CESSPOOLS . 19 

CHANGE IN DIRECTION of soil and waste pipe. 24 

Of vent pipes..... 30 

CITY WATER—Arrangements before permit. 3 

CLEANOUT required in case of stoppage. 2 

CLEANOUT . 34 

COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH. 1 

CONDEMNATION OF BUILDINGS 

for defective work . 9 

CONTINUOUS VENTING .28, 30 


DEFECTIVE WORK—Inspector shall order changes.... 

DEFECTS—Notice of to be posted. 

DEFINITION—Apartment ...-. 

Branch soil and branch waste. 

Dwelling . 

Fixtures .<■. 

Flat .. 

Inspector . 

Main soil pipe ...-. 

Main waste pipe ... 

Person .-. 

Tenement .i..-. 

Vent pipe .. 

Ventilation . 

Waste pipe .. 

DEVIATIONS may be permitted by Inspector . 

DOORS TO TOILET ROOMS to be self-closing . 

DORMITORIES . 

DOWNSPOUTS .-. 

DRAINAGE Of water pipes . 

Of yards cellars and areas . 

DURHAM PIPE AND FITTINGS .-. 

DWELLING—Definition of . .. 

Water closet accommodations required . 


9 

7 

15 

23 

15 

3 

15 
1 

23 

23 

1 

>15 

23 

23 

23 

22 

17 

16 

35 

36 
33 
25 

15 

16 


and^^^stb required:::::::: it 
FEES FOR PERMITS .-. d 


Page 

196 

193 

192 

194 

194 
191 

193 
202 

201 

197 
202 

195 

197 

198 
187 
201 

194 

204 

198 

213 

202 

195 
193 

196 

197 
201 
191 
191 
203 
191 

193 

200 

193 

193 

196 

197 

194 
191 
194 
191 
197 
197 

191 

194 
197 
197 

197 

192 

195 
194 

203 

204 
202 

198 
194 
194 

206 

198 

194 

198 

191 





























































244 


INDEX TO PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


Section 


FERRULES—Brass, when required ... 25 

Weight of, Table “D” . — 

FINAL INSPECTION . 8 

FIXTURES—Broken, no permit to renew .. 2 

Definition of . 3 

Must be trapped separately .....-.. 32 

Not provided for by ordinance . 22 

FLAT—Definition of . 15 

FLUSH PIPES—Size of . 18 

GAS PIPE—Permit must be obtained . 2 

GAS PIPES—Sizes “I” . — 

GAS PIPING .10, 15 

GREASE TRAPS . 32 

HANGERS—For soil, waste and vent pipes . 25 

HEATERS—For water . 36 

HEATING SYSTEM . 46 

HEATING, HOT WATER . 47 

HEIGHT OF VENT ABOVE ROOF . 24 

INSPECTION OF GAS PIPING . 43 

INSPECTOR—Defintion of . 1 

May permit deviations . 22 

To be notified when work ready for test .7, 8 

To have free access to buldings . 13 

To supervise all plumbing . 4 

JOINTS—In cast-iron pipes ... 25 

In lead pipe . 25 

LEADERS FOR RAINWATER . 35 

LEAD PIPE—Grade and weight of, Table “C” . — 

Joints in . 25 

Supporting strips for .1. 25 

LEAD TRAPS—Size and weight . 25 

LEAKS-—No permit required to repair . 2 

LEAN-TO ADDITION—Fixtures in . 24 

LIFE OF PERMIT . 3 

LIGHT SHAFTS—Area of . 17 

LOOP SYSTEM VENTING .1.28, 30 

MAIN SOIL PIPE—Defined . 23 

Size of . 24 

MAIN VENT PIPE—Size of, Table “H” . — 

MAIN WASTE PIPE—Defined . 23 

MANHOLES AT CLEANOUTS . 34 

MECHANICAL VENTILATION . 17 

NIPPLES—Soldering . 25 

NOTICES—Of defects to be posted . 7 

Of insanitary condition . 14 

To vacate, posting of . 10 

NUISANCE—Insanitary condition deemed a . 12 

ORDER TO VACATE .10 

OUTHOUSES—Kinds of closets permitted . 20 

P TRAPS—Vents for . 28 

PAN CLOSETS . 20 

PAPER . 21 

PARTITIONS—Required for toilets . 17 

PENAL CLAUSE . 50 

PEPPERMINT TEST . 8 

PERMIT—How obtained . 3 

Life of . 3 

One may include several buildings .. 3 

Plans must be filed first . 17 

Required . 2 

Required for any additional work . 5 

To use abandoned well . 19 

PERSON—Definition of . \ 

PIERS—Required under pipe .....* 25 


Page 

198 

213 

193 
191 
191 
202 
197 

194 
196 

191 

213 

205-6 

202 


198 

204 
206 
206 
197 

205 

191 

197 
193 
193 

192 

198 
198 

203 

213 

198 

198 

198 

191 

197 

191 

195 

200-1 

197 

197 

213 

197 
203 

195 

198 

193 

194 
193 
193 

193 

196 

200 

196 

197 

195 

206 
193 
191 
191 
191 

195 

191 

192 

196 
191 

198 


































































INDEX TO PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


Section 

PLANS—To be filed .. . > 17 

POSTING OP PERMIT REQUIRED . 2 

POT TRAPS—Vents for . • 28 

privy sinks . 20 


RAINWATER LEADERS ...... 35 

RANGE CLOSETS .. . . 20 

REFRIGERATOR WASTE ..., 37 

RENEWAL OF PERMIT ... 3 

REPEALING CLAUSE .. 51 

ROUGHING IN—Ao be inspected . 6 


SAFETY VALVE—In hot-water heating . 47 

SCHOOL WATER CLOSETS—Accommodations re¬ 
quired . 16 

SEXES—Accommodation for different . 16 

SIZE OF SOIL PIPES REQUIRED . 26 

SMOKE TEST . 8 

SOIL PIPES—Size required . 26 

SOIL AND WASTE—Height above roof . 24 

To run direct . 24 

When no sewer . 19 

SOLDERING NIPPLES . 25 

SPECIAL FIXTURES . 22 

STANDARD SOIL AND WASTE—When permitted .... 25 

STOPPAGE OF PIPES—No permit required . 2 

STOP WORK—Inspector may . 4 

STORE WATER CLOSETS—Accommodation required 16 
STREET IMPROVEMENTS—Water closets required ..16 

TANKS FOR WATER CLOSETS . 18 

TESTS—Of gas piping . 43 

Of rough plumbing . 6 

TENEMENT—Definition of .15 

TOILET PAPER . 21 

TRAPPED—Every fixture to be be . 32 

TRAPS—Grease .-. 32 

To be back vented .23 27 


UNLAWFUL TO FAIL TO OBEY ORDERS OF 


COMMISSIONER . 11 

URINAL FLOORS . 39 

URINAL TROUGH—Not permitted . 39 

URINALS—Venting of . 30 


VACATION OF BUILDINGS . 

VENT HORN ON FIXTURES . 

VENT PIPE—Defined .— 

Main size of, Table “H” . — 

Size . 

VENT OPENINGS—Distance from windows . 

VENTILATION—Defined . 

Of Wetter closets * _____ ___ 

VENTING BY LOOP OR’"’CONTINTJOUS METHOD 

VENTING OF TRAPS ...-. 

VENTS—Size of . 


10 

29 

23 


24 

24 

23 

17 

28 

27 

31 


WASTE—For urinals . 38 

From refrigerators .-.-. 

WASTE PIPE—Defined . ^ 

Size required, Table “F” . 

WATER CLOSETS—For public improvement contr’s 16 
Kinds forbidden .-. "" 

Number required .. 

Under sidewalks . ii 

WATER—Heaters . 

Service . 

Supply required ..*. A »° 

Test . b 


245 


Page 

195 
191 
200 

196 


202 

196 

204 

191 
206 

192 


206 

194 

194 

199 

193 
199 
197 

197 

196 

198 

197 

198 

191 

192 

194 
194 


196 
205 
192 
194 

197 
202 
202 

197-200 


193 

204 

204 

201 


193 

201 

197 

213 

197 

197 

197 

195 

200 

200 

202 


204 

204 

197 

213 

194 

196 

204 

194 

195 
204 
204 

196 
192 




























































246 


INDEX TO PLUMBING ORDINANCES 


Section Page 

WEIGHT—Of brass ferrules, Table “D” . — 213 

Of cast-iron pipe, Table “A” . — 213 

Of lead pipe, Table “C” .,. — 213 

Of wrought iron pipe, Table “B” . — 213 

WINDOWS IN WATER CLOSETS . 17 195 

WOODEN SINKS, WASH TRAYS AND TUBS . 38 204 

WORKSHOPS—Water closet accommodation re¬ 
quired . 16 194 

WROUGHT IRON PIPE—Half sizes .28 200 

Soil and waste . 25 198 

Weight of, Table “B” . — 213 

YARDS—To be drained . 33 202 



















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